LIBRARY 


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CALIFORNIA 

SAN  DIEGO 


THE  TAILL  OF 

RAJJF   OOILYEAR 


THE   TAILL    OF 


A   SCOTTISH   METRICAL   ROMANCE   OF 
THE   FIFTEENTH   CENTURY 


EDITED,   WITH   INTRODUCTION,   NOTES,   AND   GLOSSARIAL  INDEX 

BY 

WILLIAM    HAND    BEOWNE 

PROFESSOR  OF  ENGLISH  LITERATURE   IN  THE  JOHNS  HOPKINS 
UNIVERSITY 


JOHN  MURPHY  COMPANY,  PRINTERS, 
BALTIMORE. 


Ga,  lytill  Builc,  and  gif  ane  freind  thow  meit, 
May  he  ressaif  the  with  benignitie, 

Althocht,  for  suith,  thy  worth  may  nocht  be  greit, 
Sa  fer  als  I  in  the  haif  propertie. 
I  haif  bot  socht  to  keip  in  memorie 

The  taill  ane  no  bill  Makar,  langayr  deid, 

Wrait  intill  Inglis  of  the  Northin  Leid. 


INTRODUCTION. 


A  BEIEF  OUTLINE  OF  EARLY  SCOTTISH  POETRY. 

The  extant  poetical  literature  of  Scotland  dates  no  farther 
back  than  the  fourteenth  century.  But  we  cannot  doubt  that 
much  poetry  of  an  earlier  time  has  been  lost,  for  we  find  in 
the  most  ancient  work  that  has  reached  us  a  well-formed 
poetic  style,  correct,  vigorous,  and  at  times  almost  elegant 
versification,  and  a  confidence  and  ease  in  handling  the 
material  that  indicate  a  literature  that  has  passed  the  tentative 
stage  and  arrived  at  a  certain  degree  of  maturity.  We  know 
from  references  in  later  writers,  that  many  Scottish  poets  once 
wrote  and  were  admired,  of  whom  nought  now  remains  but 
the  names.  But  in  this  loss,  while  there  may  be  much  reason 
for  regret,  there  is  none  for  surprise.  The  foreign  wars  and 
intestine  feuds  and  troubles  which  tormented  and  devastated 
Scotland,  with  but  few  intermissions,  from  the  death  of 
Alexander  III.  to  that  of  Mary,  and  which  destroyed  so  great 
a  part  of  the  ancient  records  and  historical  muniments  of  the 
kingdom,  may  well  account  for  the  disappearance  of  works 
preserved  in  manuscript  copies  by  the  very  few  who  had  at 
once  the  culture  to  care  for  literature,  the  leisure  to  enjoy  it, 
and  the  means  of  procuring  it. 

The  very  oldest  piece  of  Scottish  poetry  that  has  come 
down  to  us,  is  a  song  deploring  the  death  of  Alexander  III. 
(1285),  cited  by  Wyntoun  (vii.  ad  fin.).  It  runs  : 

3 


4  The  Taitt  of  Rauf  CffUjear. 

Quhen  Alysandyr  cure  Kyng  wes  dede, 

That  Scotland  led  in  luwe  and  le, 
Away  wes  sons  off  ale  and  brede, 

Off  wyne  and  wax,  off  gamyu  and  gle : 
Oure  gold  wes  changyd  in  to  lede. 

Cryst,  borne  in  to  Vyrgynyte, 
Succoure  Scotland  and  remede, 

That  stad  [is  in]  perplexyte. 

There  seems  no  reason  to  doubt  that  these  lines  were 
originally  written  in  the  troubled  period  that  followed  Alex- 
ander's death.  But  it  has  apparently  been  modernised  by 
Wyntoun,  or  some  other,  so  that  we  cannot  say  that  it  is 
Scottish  of  the  thirteenth  century. 

This  northern  school  of  poetry,  so  far  as  we  are  able  to 
judge,  continued  the  ancient  Anglian  traditions,  underwent 
changes,  and,  like  the  southern  school,  reconstructed  itself  on 
French  models.  In  the  fifteenth  century  it  was  greatly 
influenced  by  the  genius  of  Chaucer,  and  after  the  death  of 
that  poet,  produced  the  most  original  and  vigorous  poetry  that 
the  island  could  boast,  for  about  a  hundred  years. 

Some  writers  divide  extant  Scottish  Literature  into  Early 
and  Middle,  placing  the  dividing  line  about  the  middle  of  the 
fifteenth  century ;  but  this  distinction  does  not  seem  justified. 
It  is  quite  true  (as  will  be  shown  later)  that  the  literary  Scot- 
tish is  a  continuation  of  the  ancient  Northern  or  Northumbrian 
school  of  English,  and,  no  doubt  it  went  through  stages  of 
transformation,  as  did  the  English  south  of  the  Tweed.  But 
of  southern  English  we  have  an  unbroken  catena  from  the 
middle  of  the  twelfth  century ;  and  this  tentative  and  transi- 
tional period,  when  the  language  was  transforming  itself  from 
the  English  of  ^Elfric  to  the  English  of  Chaucer,  we  call 
Early  English.  Nothing  corresponding  to  this  is  extant  in 


The  Taill  of  Rauf  Coifyear.  5 

Scottish.  The  monuments  of  the  transitional  period  have 
been  lost;  and  the  earliest,  texts  show  us  a  language  and 
literary  style  already  formed  and  settled.  It  will  not  do  to 
assume  lightly  that  during  this  period  the  Scottish  and  the 
Northumbrian  south  of  the  Tweed  were  identical.  We  do 
not  know  through  what  stadia  of  transformation  the  Early 
Scottish  passed,  nor  shall  we  ever  know,  unless  there  should 
be  a  recovery  of  lost  texts — which  we  can  hardly  hope. 

For  us,  then,  Scottish  literature  begins  with  Barbour,  a 
contemporary  of  Chaucer.1 

JOHN  BARBOUR  was  born  in  Aberdeenshire  about  1320, 
six  years  after  the  victory  of  Bannockburn  had  secured  the 
independence  of  Scotland.  He  entered  the  Church,  and 
became  Archdeacon  of  Aberdeen.  Slight  indications  in  the 
records  show  him  to  have  been  held  in  estimation  by  David 
II.,  and  Robert  II.,  and  to  have  travelled  in  England  and 
Prance.  He  died,  it  is  believed,  in  1395. 

Barbour's  great  work,  The  Bruce,  is  a  poetical  narrative  of 
the  struggle  of  Scotland  for  independence.  After  a  preamble 
telling  of  the  death  of  Alexander  III.,  and  the  disputed 
succession,  the  narrative  proper  begins  about  1306,  immedi- 
ately after  the  death  of  Wallace,  and  comes  down  to  the  death 
of  James  of  Douglas.  Of  course  the  work  is  occupied  chiefly 
with  the  exploits  of  Robert  Bruce  and  his  brother  Edward, 
James  of  Douglas,  Walter  the  Stewart,  and  other  heroes  of 
that  great  struggle.  It  is  the  national  epic  of  Scotland,  and 

1  It  is  almost  superfluous  to  allude,  even  in  a  note,  to  the  romance  of 
Sir  Tristrem,  by  some  placed  at  the  head  of  Scottish  literature.  The 
language  is  not,  and  could  not  have  been,  the  Scottish  of  any  period,  being 
Midland  with  ma,ny  Southern  characteristics.  Neither  subject  nor  treat- 
ment is  Scottish,  and  there  is  absolutely  nothing  in  it  to  indicate  a  Scottish 
origin. 


6  The  TaiU  of  Rauf  Coifyear. 

has  the  advantage  over  most  epics — that  of  Wallace  included 
— that  it  does  not  deal  with  fiction  but  with  historic  fact. 
Barbour  lived  so  near  the  events  that  he  narrates,  that  he  had 
the  opportunity,  as  he  himself  tells  us,  of  obtaining  his  infor- 
mation from  eye-witnesses  and  participants. 

The  Bruce  is  written  in  a  clear,  rapid,  and  vivid  style, 
without  rhetorical  adornment,  and  occasionally  glowing  with 
true  poetic  fire.  Though  an  ardent  patriot,  Barbour  is  no 
fanatical  partisan,  and  can  prize  chivalry  and  magnanimity 
in  an  enemy,  as  witness  his  graceful  and  glowing  tribute  to 
the  gallant  Gilles  de  Argentine. 

We  have,  unfortunately,  no  MS.  of  the  Bruce  earlier  than 
1487,1  and  as  we  know,  by  comparison  with  a  large  extract 
preserved  by  Wyntoun,  that  the  later  copyists  have  taken  con- 
siderable liberties  with  the  text,  it  is  to  be  feared  that  it  has 
suflPered  much  detriment  at  the  hands  of  scribes.  Some  have 
ascribed  to  Barbour  another  work,  the  Brut,  giving  the  tradi- 
tional genealogy  of  British  kings  from  the  Trojan  Brutus, 
grandson  of  Aeneas;  but  no  such  work  is  known,  and  the 
ascription  seems  to  have  arisen  from  a  misunderstanding  of 
a  passage  in  Wyntoun.  Some  have  also  attributed  to  him,  on 
insufficient  grounds,  a  collection  of  versified  Legends  of  Saints, 
still  extant. 

ANDROW  OF  WYNTOUN,  a  canon  regular  of  St.  Andrews, 
and  prior  of  St.  Serf's  Inch  in  Loch  Leven,  wrote,  toward 
the  close  of  the  fourteenth  and  beginning  of  the  fifteenth  cen- 
tury, his  Orygynale  Cronyldl  of  Scotland.  Starting  with  the 
creation  of  the  angels,  he  runs  rapidly  down  the  history  of  the 

1  There  are  only  two  extant  MSS. ;  the  Cambridge  MS.,  written  by  "  J. 
de  R.  Capellanus"  in  1487,  and  the  Edinburgh  MS.  written  by  John 
Ramsay  in  1489. 


The  Taill  of  Rauf  Coil^ear.  7 

world,  until  he  reaches  the  traditional  beginning  of  the  Keltic 
monarchy  of  Scotland,  and  then  pursues  the  dun  and  mythical 
legends  of  that  country,  and  the  clearer  historic  periods,  to  his 
own  times.  The  work  is  very  discursive  and  garrulous,  show- 
ing neither  artistic  sense,  nor  critical  discrimination  between 
the  possible  and  the  impossible,  the  significant  and  the  irrele- 
vant. Anything  pertaining  to  the  time  or  the  reign  he  is 
speaking  of,  whether  recorded  in  the  Bible  or  the  Gesta 
Romanorum,  is  entitled  to  admission  in  his  book.  But  the 
work  has  value  as  a  repertory  of  anecdotes  and  traditions  not 
found  elsewhere.  Here,  for  example,  we  have  the  first 
appearance  of  the  three  weird  sisters — it  is  Wyntoun  who 
calls  them  so — to  Macbeth,  who,  however,  sees  them  only  in 
a  dream,  and  they  are  not  witches,  but  the  three  Fates  of 
mythology.1 

As  Wyntoun  does  not  mention  the  return  of  James  I.  from 
captivity  in  \  424,  he  is  thought  to  have  died  not  long  before, 
hi  advanced  age. 

1  As  the  passage  has  interest,  it  is  subjoined  : — 

A  nycht  he  thowcht,  in  hys  dremyng, 

That  syttand  he  was  besyd  the  King 

At  a  sete  in  hwntyng,  swa 

In  till  a  leysh  had  grewhundys  twa. 

He  thowcht,  quhile  he  was  swa  syttand, 

He  sawe  thre  wemen  by  gangand, 

And  thai  wemen  than  thowcht  he 

Thre  werd  Systrys  mast  lyk  to  be. 

The  fyrst  he  hard  say,  gangand  by, 

'  Lo  !  yondyr  the  Thayne  off  Crwmbawchty  ! ' 

The  tothir  woman  sayd  agayne, 

'  Off  Morave  yhondyre  I  se  the  Thayne.' 

The  thryd  than  sayd  '  I  se  the  Kyng.' 

All  this  he  herd  in  his  dremyng : 


8  The  Taitt  of  Rauf  Coifyear. 

About  JAMES  I.,  the  royal  poet,  there  hangs,  of  course, 
none  of  the  obscurity  that  surrounds  so  many  of  the  Scottish 
writers.  He  was  born  in  1394,  the  son  of  the  unhappy 
Robert  III.,  and  the  descendant,  in  the  fourth  generation,  of 
Robert  Bruce.  The  ambition  of  his  unscrupulous  uncle,  the 
Duke  of  Albany,  and  the  tragic  and  more  than  suspicious 
death  of  his  elder  brother,  the  Duke  of  Rothsay,  caused  the 
alarmed  father  to  send  the  youthful  James,  then  a  boy  of 
eleven,  to  France  for  security ;  but  the  vessel  carrying  him 
was  captured  by  an  English  ship  (not  without  suspicion  of 
treachery  on  Albany's  part)  and  the  young  prince  was 
delivered  a  prisoner  to  Henry  IV.  At  first  his  confinement 
seems  to  have  been  somewhat  rigorous,  but  afterwards  he  was 
held  rather  as  a  friendly  hostage  than  as  a  prisoner,  and  was 
instructed  in  all  knightly  arts  and  accomplishments.  Acknowl- 
edged as  a  king  on  his  father's  death,  he  accompanied  Henry  V. 
as  an  ally  in  his  campaign  in  France,  and  is  said  to  have  dis- 
tinguished himself  in  the  field.  He  had  a  taste  for  music  and 
painting,  and  especially  for  literature,  and  was  an  enthusiastic 
student  of  the  works  of  Gower  and  Chaucer,  whom  he  calls 
his  "Masters." 

Sone  efftyre  that,  in  his  yhowthad, 

Off  thyr  Thayndomys  he  Thayne  was  made  ; 

Syne  neyst  he  thowcht  to  be  Kyng, 

Fra  Duncanys  dayis  had  tane  endyng. 

Wyntoun,  vi,  1850. 

The  first  writer  who  mentions  this  meeting  as  an  actual  occurrence  is 
Hector  Boece,  who  wrote  a  hundred  years  after  Wyntoun.  Holinshed 
took  the  story  from  Boece,  and  Shakespeare  from  Holinshed.  The  idea 
that  the  three  sisters,  in  their  several  announcements,  tell  Macbeth  the 
past,  the  present,  and  the  future,  does  not  appear  in  Wyntoun,  where  all 
three  relate  to  the  future. 


The  laiU  of  Rauf  Caityar.  9 

During  his  captivity  he  became  enamoured  of  Lady  Jane 
Beaufort,  niece  of  Henry  IV.,  an  attachment  we  may  suppose, 
highly  satisfactory  to  Henry  V.,  who  saw  in  the  match  the 
opportunity  of  binding  the  young  and  warlike  king  to  the 
house  of  Lancaster  by  firm  ties  of  alliance ;  and — a  rare  thing 
in  royal  marriages — for  once  love  and  policy  seem  to  have 
gone  hand  in  hand.  In  ]  424,  James's  ransom  having  been 
paid,  he  married  Lady  Jane,  and  the  royal  pair  returned  amid 
great  rejoicings  to  Scotland,  where  James  was  crowned,  like 
all  Scottish  kings,  at  Scone,  near  Perth. 

He  had  learned  much  during  his  long  residence  in  Eng- 
land, and  especially  the  Lancastrian  policy  of  centralisation 
and  organisation,  and  of  fortifying  and  augmenting  the  royal 
power  by  curbing  the  great  barons  and  protecting  the  com- 
mon people ;  and  this  policy  he  resolved  to  apply  to  Scotland, 
where  the  insolence,  ambition  and  rapacity  of  the  powerful 
nobles  had  been  almost  unchecked  during  the  regency.  But 
his  reforms  were  too  drastic,  or  at  least  too  rapid,  and  James 
was  too  rashly  courageous.  A  formidable  conspiracy  was  organ- 
ised against  him,  and  in  1437  he  was  assassinated  at  Perth, 
with  tragic  circumstances  and  a  tragic  sequel  familiar  to  all. 

His  great  poem,  the  Kingis  Quair,  or  King's  Book,  recites, 
partly  in  the  guise  of  an  allegory  or  vision,  the  story  of  bis 
love — how  he  first  saw  his  lady  from  the  window  of  his 
prison,  and  fell  into  a  passion  which  he  could  only  suppose 
hopeless ;  and  how  in  a  vision  he  was  borne  aloft  to  the 
empyrean  and  to  the  court  of  Venus,  where  he  saw  lovers  of 
all  degrees  and  conditions,  and  received  counsel  and  encourage- 
ment from  the  goddess,  from  Minerva  and  Fortune,  afterwards 
confirmed  by  a  message  brought  him  by  a  dove.  We  must 
not  take  the  royal  lover  too  literally :  he  was  in  no  sense  a 


10  The  Taill  of  Rauf  Coil$ear. 

pining  captive  when  he  met  Lady  Jane,  and  had  no  obstacle 
to  overcome,  unless  it  were  the  coyness  of  the  lady  herself, 
which,  we  may  presume,  was  not  excessive. 

The  poem  is  written  in  Chaucer's  favorite  stanza  of  seven 
lines,  or  "  rime  royal,"  and  closely  imitates  parts  of  Chaucer's 
Knightes  Tale  and  (in  a  lass  degree)  his  Hous  of  Fame.  In 
other  parts  there  is  a  striking  resemblance  to  the  Court  of 
Love,  a  poem  once  ascribed  to  Chaucer,  but  which  seems  to 
be  an  expanded  treatment  of  a  theme  found  in  the  Temple  of 
Glas,  a  poem  usually  attributed  to  Lydgate.  The  King 
dedicates  his  poem  to  his  "masters,"  Gower  and  Chaucer, 
although  no  imitation  of  Gower  is  perceptible ;  a  fact  which 
suggests  the  possibility  that  James  believed  Gower  to  have 
been  the  author  of  the  Temple  of  Glas.1  James  seems  to 
have  been  the  first  to  introduce  Chaucer  to  Scotland,  where 
his  works  exercised  a  great  influence  on  the  poets  of  the 
fifteenth  century. 

But  the  Kingis  Quair  is  more  than  a  mere  imitation. 
Though  thrown  into  an  artificial  form  which  had  become 
almost  canonical  for  poetry  of  high  seriousness,  it  is  instinct 
with  genuine  feeling  and  true  poetic  elevation ;  the  descrip- 
tions are  varied  and  bright,  and  the  whole  full  of  romantic 
grace,  dignity,  and  tenderness.  The  language,  while  substan- 
tially Scottish,  is  greatly  affected  by  Midland  influences,  and 
to  some  degree,  assimilated  to  that  of  Chaucer. 

A  short  moral  poem  called  Good  Counsel  has  been  also  (on 
rather  slight  evidence)  assigned  to  James.  Earlier  critics 
ascribed  to  him  the  clever  farcical  poems,  Christis  Kirk  on  the 

1  As  Gower  was  living  when  James  was  taken  to  England,  and  as  his 
works  must  have  been  familiar  at  Court,  this  error — if  error  it  be — is 
singular. 


The  Taill  of  Eauf  Coifyear.  11 

Grene,  and  Peblis  to  the  Play,  but  this  ascription  can  hardly 
now  be  seriously  maintained. 

If  James  I.  is  the  first  conscious  artist  whom  we  meet  in 
the  extant  Scottish  poetry,  ROBERT  HENRYSON  is  the  first 
original  artist.  Of  Henryson's  personal  history  scarce  any- 
thing is  known.  He  is  supposed  to  have  been  born  about 
1425,  and  to  have  been  a  schoolmaster  in  Dunfermline ;  and 
as  he  is  styled  "  Master,"  it  is  inferred  that  he  had  taken  an 
academic  degree.  In  the  list  of  members  of  Glasgow  Univer- 
sity in  1462,  appears  the  name  of  "  the  Venerable  Master 
Robert  Henryson,"  who  was  probably  the  poet.  That  he 
died  in  Dunfermline  we  know  from  Dunbar. 

Henryson,  like  other  Scottish  poets  after  James  I.,  was 
strongly  influenced  by  Chaucer,  and  even  ventured,  we  may 
say,  to  enter  the  lists  with  him.  Chaucer's  treatment  of  the 
Troilus  story  seemed  to  him  to  lack  completeness  and  a  moral 
lesson  :  Cresseid  should  have  been  punished  for  her  faith- 
lessness and  wantonness.  So  in  his  Testament  of  Cresseid  he 
represents  her  as  smitten  with  leprosy,  a  beggar  and  abhorred 
outcast,  in  which  condition  she  is  seen  but  not  recognized  by 
Troilus.  Pierced  by  remorse  and  shame,  she  makes  her 
testament  of  counsel  and  warning  to  her  sex,  and  dies  re- 
pentant. 

Henryson's  Orpheus  and  Eurydice,  a  singular  allegorizing 
of  the  old  fable,  shows  his  classical  and  scholastic  learning, 
while  the  pretty  poem  Robene  and  Malvyne,  which  has  been 
styled  the  earliest  pastoral  in  the  English  language,  has  a 
charming  simplicity.  Most  interesting,  however,  are  his  Fables, 
founded  chiefly  upon  subjects  taken  from  those  collections 
which  bore  the  name  of  .ZEsop,  but  treated  with  an  ease,  fluency, 
brightness,  and  certainty  of  literary  touch  not  unworthy  of 


12  The  Taill  of  Rauf  Coil^ear. 

Chaucer.  Each  of  the  fables  is  a  little  drama  of  natural  dia- 
logue, and  his  beasts  are  delightfully  human.  Henryson's 
other  poems,  chiefly  of  a  moral  and  didactic  character,  show  the 
same  literary  skill  and  mastery  of  versification  under  a  more 
serious  garb.  It  is  thought  that  the  fables  were  written 
about  1470  or  1480.  Of  his  death  we  only  know  that  it 
occurred  before  1506,  as  Dunbar,  in  his  Lament  for  the 
Makaris,  written  about  that  year,  mentions  him  as  having 
passed  away. 

Some  time  in  the  latter  half  of  the  century  was  written 
the  curious  moral  fable  or  allegory  of  the  Howlat.  The 
author  tells  us  that  his  name  was  HOLLAND,  and  that  he 
lived  in  Moray ;  and  some  incline  to  identify  him  with  one 
Sir  Richard  Holland,  a  priest  and  partisan  of  the  house  of 
Douglas,  about  whom  almost  nothing  is  known.  The  poem, 
which  is  in  the  same  peculiar  alliterative  stanza  as  Rauf 
Coifyear,  tells  how  the  Owl,  disgusted  with  his  hideous  form, 
went  to  the  Peacock,  the  pope  of  the  birds,  to  lodge  a  complaint 
against  Nature  as  the  author  of  his  deformity.  The  Peacock 
assembles  in  oscumenical  council  the  various  dignitaries  of  the 
Church,  and  the  secular  powers, — birds  of  peace  and  birds 
of  prey, — and  the  case  is  laid  before  them.  In  compliance 
with  their  joint  petition  Nature  descends,  and  commands 
every  bird  to  give  the  Howlat  a  feather,  out  of  which  she 
fashions  him  a  gorgeous  plumage,  so  that  he  surpasses  all  in 
splendour.  But  when  thus  exalted  he  became  so  insufferably 
arrogant  and  domineering  that  the  birds  beg  to  be  relieved 
of  him,  and  Nature  obligingly  reduces  him  to  his  former 
hideousness.  A  considerable  part  of  the  poem  is  taken  up 
with  a  panegyric  of  the  house  of  Douglas. 

Contemporary  with  Henryson  was  HENRY  THE  MINSTREL 


The  Taill  of  Rauf  Caityar.  13 

(often  referred  to  as  Blind  Harry).  Almost  the  only  thing 
known  about  him  is  the  statement  given  by  John  Maior  (one 
of  the  teachers  of  Buchanan)  who  says  that  Henry  was  living 
"in  the  time  of  my  infancy"  (or  between  1450  and  1460), 
that  he  was  blind  from  his  birth,  and  that  he  composed  the 
Book  of  William  Wallace,  and  travelled  about  the  country 
reciting  his  poetry  to  knights  and  nobles,  who  provided  him 
with  the  means  of  subsistence — "of  which  he  was  well 
worthy,"  Maior  adds.  Records  show  that  gratuities  were 
occasionally  bestowed  upon  him  from  the  royal  treasury,  the 
latest  of  these  entries  being  in  1492. 

Henry  may  have  undertaken  this  poem  to  supplement  the 
omission  of  Barbour,  the  plan  of  whose  work  did  not  include 
that  period  of  the  struggle  in  which  Wallace  was  the  chief 
figure ;  or  it  may  have  been  that  as  a  wandering  minstrel  he 
found  that  the  exploits  attributed  to  Wallace  appealed  more 
strongly  to  popular  sentiment  than  those  of  Bruce.  He  says 
that  he  procured  the  material  for  his  poem  from  a  Latin 
history  written  by  Master  John  Blair,  Wallace's  friend  and 
chaplain,  which  is  not  impossible,  though  no  such  book  is 
known  to  exist,  nor  is  anything  known  of  John  Blair.  If 
his  statement  be  true,  it  is  highly  probable  that  he  supple- 
mented Blair's  narrative  with  many  floating  traditions,  some 
of  which  are  historically  impossible,  and  most  are  grossly 
exaggerated.  In  two  hundred  years  a  popular  myth  had 
grown  up  about  the  great  champion,  and  Henry's  Wallace  is 
a  very  different  personage  from  the  steadfast  magnanimous 
Wallace  of  history.  Henry's  Wallace  is  a  kind  of  gigantic 
patriotic  ogre,  of  superhuman  strength  and  ferocity,  mowing 
down  troops  with  his  single  arm,  mutilating  prisoners,  and 
ever  thirsting  for  "  the  byrnand  Sothroun  blude ; "  and  it  is 


14  The  Taitt  of  Rauf  Coifyar. 

to  be  regretted  that  the  popular  estimate  of  one  of  the  most 
heroic  figures  in  history  has  been  so  largely  derived  from  this 
distorted  conception.  But  as  an  outburst  of  intense  patriot- 
ism, and  a  recital  of  stirring  adventures,  the  poem  has  much 
merit,  and  has  enjoyed  unbroken  popularity  from  the  time  of 
its  composition. 

The  authorship  of  this  poem  has  been  recently  questioned 
on  the  grounds  that  a  beggar,  born  blind,  in  Scotland  in  the 
fifteenth  century  could  not  have  had  that  familiarity  with  the 
romancers  and  with  Chaucer,  which  the  Wallace  shows,  nor 
the  knowledge  of  Latin  which  it  implies.  The  poet's  name  is 
nowhere  mentioned  in  the  book,  nor  is  there  any  allusion  to 
his  blindness.  The  question  is  still  unsettled. 

Nor  was  the  chivalry  romance  unrepresented  in  Scottish 
literature.  Poems  or  fragments  of  poems  dealing  with  themes 
from  the  legends  of  Alexander  and  Arthur  have  been  pre- 
served ;  and  Wyntoun  expressly  praises  a  poet  of  the  name  of 
Huchown  (rather  hastily  assumed  to  have  been  a  Scot)  as  the 
author  of  romances  of  Arthur  and  Gawayn,  and  of  the  Pistill 
of  Susan  (the  story  of  Susanna  and  the  Elders).  A  poem  in 
alliterative  verse  bearing  this  title  is  still  extant.  Some  ascribe 
to  Huchown  the  Alliterative  Morte  Arthure,  and  some  the 
Awntyrs  of  Arthure  and  the  fine  metrical  romance  usually 
known  as  Gawayne  and  the  Green  Knight ;  but  the  question 
is  still  unsettled.  These  poems,  in  the  form  in  which  we  now 
have  them,  are  not  in  the  Scottish  dialect,  nor  do  they  show 
any  Scottish  characteristics ;  and  the  great  differences  in  style 
and  poetic  power  are  scarcely  consistent  with  identical  author- 
ship. Dunbar  also  mentions  a  Clerk  of  Tranent,  otherwise 
unknown,  who  wrote  a  Gawayn  romance.  Of  the  Charle- 
magne cycle  the  only  poem  discovered  is  that  here  repro- 


The  Taitt  of  Rauf  Cailjear.  15 

duced ;  and  it  will  be  seen  that  the  poet's  treatment  of  his 
subject  is  free  from  the  extravagant  invention  and  fantastic 
style  which  characterise  most  of  these  singular  productions. 

We  may  complete  this  slight  sketch  of  the  most  important 
poets  of  the  Scottish  literary  period  whose  works  are  extant, 
by  the  names  of  Dunbar,  Douglas,  and  Lyndsay,  who  bring 
us  down  to  the  Reformation. 

By  this  time  the  language  had  differentiated  itself  into  two 
registers.  The  scholarly  poets,  not  content  with  showing  their 
learning  by  an  affluence  of  classical  allusions,  had  begun  to 
enrich  their  speech  by  a  lavish  introduction  of  Latinisms; 
and  such  "  aureate  "  terms  as  "  celicall,"  "  redymyte,"  "  sempi- 
terne,"  "  mellifluate,"  were  thought  to  be  the  cachet  of  the 
scholar,  and  the  proper  vesture  of  lofty  poesy.  At  the  same 
time  the  vernacular  speech  of  daily  life  was  considered  the 
fitting  dress  of  light,  satirical,  or  ludicrous  pieces ;  and  in  the 
latter  were  introduced  an  amazing  number  of  quaint,  facetious, 
or  vituperative  terms,  in  which  the  popular  speech  showed  a 
fecundity  and  pungency  perhaps  unexampled. 

A  master  of  both  these  forms,  and  perhaps  the  most  versa- 
tile genius  that  Scotland  has  produced,  was  WILLIAM  DUN- 
BAR.  This  poet,  the  scion  of  an  ancient  and  illustrious  Scottish 
house,  whose  head  was  the  Earl  of  March,  was  born  about 
1460.  He  was  destined  for  the  Church,  and  was  educated  at 
the  University  of  St.  Andrews,  where  he  took  the  Bachelor's 
and  Master's  degrees.  After  this  he  entered  the  Franciscan 
order,  and  travelled  extensively  in  England  and  France  as  a 
wandering  preacher,  but  did  not  take  the  final  vows,  and  after- 
wards discarded  the  habit.  Returning  to  Scotland,  he  was 
attached  to  the  court  of  James  IV.,  whose  marriage  with 
Margaret  Tudor  he  has  celebrated  in  his  allegorical  poem, 
The  Thrissill  and  The  Rois. 


16  The  Taitt  of  Rauf  Coiljear. 

Dunbar  took  priest's  orders,  and  was  exceedingly  anxious 
to  obtain  a  benefice ;  but  this  was  never  given  him,  while  he 
saw,  to  his  chagrin  and  indignation,  unworthy  persons  exalted 
to  high  positions  in  the  Church.  James  would  not  let  him 
go,  but  testified  his  regard  by  gifts  and  pensions,  not  on  a 
very  liberal  scale.  After  the  death  of  James  at  Flodden  we 
hear  nothing  further  of  Dunbar,  and  it  is  to  be  feared  that  he 
died  in  poverty  and  neglect. 

Dunbar  possessed  a  highly  sensitive  nature,  which  is  reflected 
in  his  poems.  At  times  he  is  gay,  full  of  fun  and  almost  bois- 
terous merriment,  and  again  plunged  into  the  deepest  melan- 
choly, oppressed  by  the  thoughts  of  approaching  old  age  and 
inevitable  death. 

Setting  aside  the  merely  occasional  pieces  in  which  he  throws 
into  light  but  often  graceful  and  ingenious  verse  some  trifling 
incident  or  scandal  of  the  court,  Dunbar's  poems  may  be 
divided  into  three  classes,  the  allegorical,  moral,  and  satirical. 

His  principal  allegoric  poem  is  The  Golden  Terge,  in  which 
he  represents  himself  as  brought  before  the  court  of  Cupid, 
where  lovely  ladies  bend  their  bows  at  him,  but  Reason,  with 
a  golden  targe,  or  shield,  screens  him  from  their  shafts.  In 
the  Tht*lssill  and  the  Rois,  which  is,  strictly  speaking,  figura- 
tive rather  than  allegorical,  Nature  is  shown  summoning  all 
beasts,  birds,  and  plants  before  her.  She  crowns  the  Lion 
king  of  beasts,  the  Eagle  king  of  birds,  and  selecting  the 
Scottish  Thistle  with  his  formidable  bush  of  spears  to  be  the 
monarch  of  plants,  crowns  him  with  "  radiant  rubies,"  and 
gives  him  the  peerless  "  Rose  of  two  colours "  (the  blood  of 
York  and  of  Lancaster  mingling  in  Margaret  Tudor)  to  be 
his  queen.  There  is  nothing  in  these  two  poems  of  the  starch 
pedantry  which  is  the  weakness  of  allegory  :  they  are  full  of 
life,  melody,  and  beauty. 


The  Taill  of  Rauf  Cviljear.  17 

Dunbar's  moral  poems  reflect  the  serious  side  of  his  charac- 
ter, and  have  an  earnestness  and  sincerity  which  show  that 
they  sprang  from  real  and  deep  feeling.  In  his  satirical 
pieces,  on  the  other  hand,  he  gives  a  free  rein  to  his  wit  and 
extraordinary  and  fantastic  imagination.  In  his  Fenjeit  Frdr 
of  Tungland  he  commemorates  with  great  glee  the  misadven- 
ture of  one  John  Damian,  an  Italian  friar  and  arch-quack, 
who  pretending  to  be  an  adept  in  alchymy,  had  ingratiated 
himself  with  the  King,  who  gave  him  the  rich  abbey  of 
Tungland.  Damian  made  himself  a  pair  of  wings  and  under- 
took to  fly  from  the  battlements  of  Stirling  Castle  to  the  coast 
of  France,  but  fell  and  broke  his  leg.  Dunbar  sketches,  in 
fantastic  style,  his  earlier  career  of  imposture,  and  then  nar- 
rates his  adventures  in  the  air.  The  Dance  of  the  Seven 
Deadly  Sins,  performed  before  Satan  in  Hell,  has  the  weird 
grotesqueness  of  a  nightmare.  In  his  Flyting,  or  jocular 
scolding-match  with  his  friend  Walter  Kennedy,  the  two 
poets  illustrate  the  extraordinary  richness  of  the  vernacular 
tongue  in  grotesque  scurrility,  and  their  own  ingenuity  in 
metrical  construction.  His  slighter  occasional  pieces  have  all 
the  same  light  and  easy  touch,  surprising  facility  in  handling 
difficult  metres,  and  an  almost  unerring  skill  in  phrasing. 
The  poems  of  his  later  years  show  a  more  serious  colouring. 
In  his  Lament  for  the  MaJcaris  he  enumerates  poets  of  time 
past,  and  those  of  his  own  time  who  have  departed  this  life, 
and  concludes  with  the  solemn  reflection  that  his  own  day  is 
rapidly  nearing  its  close. 

The  range  of  Dunbar's  genius  must  be  still  further  extended 
if  he  be,  as  is  generally  supposed,  the  author  of  that  admirable 
story  in  verse,  The  Freiris  of  Berwick.  For  vivacity,  humour, 
neatness,  and  perfect  literary  skill,  this  poem  will  bear  com- 
parison with  Chaucer's  best  work  hi  the  same  style. 
2 


18  The  Taill  of  Rauf  Coiljear. 

Of  WALTER  KENNEDY,  Dunbar's  antagonist  in  the  Fly- 
ting  previously  mentioned,  we  know  very  little,  though  he 
had  a  high  reputation  hi  his  day.  He  was  a  scion  of  the 
powerful  western  family  of  the  Kennedies  of  Carrick,  and 
from  allusions  hi  the  poem,  seems  to  have  been  a  man  of 
property.  He  is  supposed  to  have  been  born  about  1460. 
He  was  a  Master  of  Arts  of  Glasgow  University,  and  is 
highly  spoken  of  by  Dunbar,  Douglas,  and  Lyndsay.  He  is 
mentioned  as  living  by  Douglas  in  1501,  and  said  by  Dunbar 
in  his  Lament  for  the  MaJcaris,  written  about  1506,  to  be  then 
lying  at  the  point  of  death.  Beside  his  contributions  to  the 
Flyting,  nothing  from  his  pen  remains  but  a  few  short  poems 
of  a  moral  and  religious  character. 

GAWIN  DOUGLAS  was  the  third  son  of  the  great  Archibald, 
Earl  of  Angus,  called  "  Bell  the  Cat,"  and  was  born  about 
1475.  He  was  destined  for  the  Church,  and  took  the  Mas- 
ter's degree  at  St.  Andrews.  His  high  lineage  opened  a  rapid 
road  to  promotion.  He  early  showed  distinguished  ability  as 
a  poet,  and  wrote  hi  1501  his  Police  of  Honour,  afterwards 
followed  by  Kyng  Hart,  and  a  translation  from  Ovid.  In 
1512  he  began  his  translation  of  Vergil's  Aeneid,  which  he 
finished  only  two  months  before  the  great  disaster  of  Flodden. 
This  battle,  in  which  his  two  elder  brothers  fell  on  the  field, 
drew  the  poet  from  his  studies  and  plunged  him  into  the 
whirlpool  of  political  affairs. 

The  widowed  queen  Margaret,  who  had  her  brother's 
temperament,  soon  cast  eyes  of  affection  on  the  young  Earl  of 
Angus,  the  poet's  nephew,  and  married  him  before  the  year 
was  over.  Gawin  became  now  a  power  in  the  State,  was 
entrusted  with  the  Great  Seal  of  the  kingdom,  and  saw  a  bril- 
liant career  opening  before  him.  At  the  same  tune  he  was 


The  Taill  of  Rauf  Coifyear.  19 

nominated  by  the  queen  to  the  archbishopric  of  St.  Andrews, 
the  primacy  of  Scotland ;  but  there  were  other  claimants  who 
maintained  their  cause  by  force  of  arms,  and  Douglas,  after 
an  energetic  contest,  had  to  yield.  In  partial  compensation 
he  was  made  Bishop  of  Dunkeld ;  but  here  also  he  met  with 
opposition,  and  even  suffered  imprisonment  before  he  could 
obtain  possession  of  his  bishopric. 

The  queen  soon  tired  of  her  husband,  Angus,  and  trans- 
ferred her  affections  to  the  Regent,  Albany,  who  deprived 
Douglas  of  his  bishopric  and  other  preferments.  Douglas 
was  then  in  London,  whither  he  had  gone  in  the  hope  of 
securing  the  support  of  Henry  VIII.  for  Angus  against 
Albany.  In  this  he  was  unsuccessful,  and  to  crown  his  mis- 
fortunes, Angus  gave  up  the  contest  and  submitted  to  the 
Regent.  To  return  to  Scotland  was  now  impossible ;  so  the 
poet  remained  in  London,  solacing  himself  with  the  company 
of  men  of  letters.  Here  he  was  stricken  with  the  plague,  and 
died  in  1522. 

The  Police  of  Honour  and  Kyng  Hart  are  both  allegori- 
cal works.  The  former  is  a  panegyric  of  illustrious  men  of 
antiquity,  and  the  latter  an  allegory  or  fable  of  human  life. 
The  former  is  rather  overloaded  with  the  display  of  classical 
reading ;  and  both,  while  showing  undoubted  talent  and  skill 
in  the  technique  of  versification,  must  be  classed  as  academic 
compositions. 

The  version  of  the  JEneid  is  by  far  Douglas's  most  impor- 
tant work.  As  the  first  metrical  translation  of  the  great 
Latin  poet  into  English,  it  would  have  a  title  to  respect ;  but 
it  is  in  itself  an  admirable  production,  being  not  only  correct, 
but  graphic,  fluent,  and  spirited,  and  altogether  a  remarkable 
performance  for  the  time.  To  each  of  the  books  he  appended 


20  The  Taill  of  Rauf  CoU^ear. 

an  original  prologue  of  considerable  length,  which  are  perhaps 
the  best  of  all  his  work.  Especially  the  prologues  to  the 
seventh  and  twelfth  books,  one  describing  a  Scottish  winter, 
and  the  other  a  morning  in  May,  have  won  the  admiration 
of  all  critics  for  the  truth,  vividness,  and  beauty  of  the 
descriptions. 

SIR  DAVID  LYNDSAY  was  born  in  Fife  or  East  Lothian 
about  1490,  and  studied  at  St.  Andrews.  While  yet  young 
he  was  attached  to  the  court  as  the  special  guardian  and 
companion  of  the  infant  prince,  afterwards  James  V.,  and 
James  ever  after  regarded  him  with  confidence  and  aifection. 
During  the  regencies  of  Angus  and  Albany  Lyndsay  was 
removed  from  the  court,  and  retiring  to  his  estates  devoted 
his  tune  to  recording,  in  a  poem  called  the  Dreme,  his  reflec- 
tions on  the  leading  men  of  the  time  and  their  misgovern- 
ment  of  the  country.  When  James,  by  a  bold  stroke,  seized 
the  reins  of  government  into  his  own  hands,  he  recalled 
Lyndsay,  whom  he  made  a  knight,  and  raised  to  the  high 
dignity  of  Lyon  King  of  Arms,  or  Chief  Herald  of  Scotland. 

In  1530,  Lyndsay,  who  was  now  in  a  position  to  give  open 
expression  to  his  thoughts,  wrote  the  Testament  and  Complaynt 
of  the  Papyngo.  The  King's  favorite  "  papyngo  "  (popinjay 
or  parrot)  having  accidentally  received  a  mortal  wound,  sends 
her  last  messages  and  monitions  to  the  King  and  leading 
personages.  The  poet  boldly  points  out  the  abuses  of  the 
time,  and  does  not  even  spare  from  his  satire  the  clergy,  their 
ambition,  arrogance,  and  rapacity. 

Lyndsay  was  also  employed  on  several  diplomatic  missions, 
one  of  which  was  to  arrange  for  the  marriage  of  James  with 
a  French  princess.  The  bride  of  James's  choice  was  Madeleine, 
daughter  of  Francis  I.  But  this  fragile  daughter  of  the  Lily 


The  Taill  of  Rauf  Coifywr.  21 

died  after  a  few  weeks  of  wedded  life,  and  Lyndsay  deplored 
her  untimely  fate  in  a  tender  elegy. 

His  next  and  most  important  work  was  Ane  Satyre  of  the 
Thrie  Estaitis,  a  dramatic  poem  or  interlude  performed  at 
Linlithgow  before  the  King  and  court  at  the  feast  of  the 
Epiphany,  1539-40.  It  is  of  great  length  and  took  no  less 
than  nine  hours  for  its  representation,  intervals  being  left  at 
suitable  points.  This,  the  earliest  specimen  of  the  Scottish 
drama  extant,  is  highly  interesting  from  all  points  of  view. 
The  abuses  of  the  time  are  clearly  and  vigorously  set  forth, 
and  no  classes  are  spared.  Under  "  Rex  Humanitas  "  James 
could  easily  recognize  himself,  and  see  his  own  frailties  as  in  a 
mirror  j  and  no  doubt  the  public  had  no  difficulty  in  detecting 
many  others  under  the  thin  veil  of  allegory.  The  boldness 
and  causticity  with  which  he  attacks  the  corruptions  of  the 
clergy,  are  surprising,  and  would  probably  have  been  ventured 
on  by  no  man  less  strongly  intrenched  in  the  King's  favour. 
Although  he  assails  the  abuses  rather  than  the  doctrines  of 
the  Church,  we  can  feel  the  spirit  of  the  Reformation  just 
ready  to  burst  forth.  The  drama  is  enlivened  by  various 
facetious  episodes  to  amuse  the  spectators. 

In  1546  the  first  crisis  in  the  Reformation  which  had  been 
secretly  maturing  in  men's  minds,  occurred  in  the  burning  for 
heresy  of  George  Wishart,  promptly  avenged  by  the  assassina- 
tion of  the  cruel  and  haughty  Cardinal  Beatoun.  On  this 
event  Lyndsay  wrote  his  Tragedie  of  the  Cardinally  in  which 
his  sympathy  with  the  Reforming  party  is  obvious. 

In  1550  Lyndsay  wrote  his  Historie  of  Squyer  Meldrum, 
reciting  in  verse  the  romantic  adventures  of  a  sort  of  knight- 
errant  of  his  own  time. 

In  1553  he  finished  his  last  work,  The  Monarche,  a  long 
poem  in  the  form  of  a  dialogue  between  Experience  and  a 


22  The  Taill  of  Rauf  Coifyear. 

Courtier,  "  on  the  miserable  state  of  the  world."  As  the  title 
indicates,  it  is  in  a  vein  of  moral  and  philosophical  reflection. 
Other  shorter  pieces  of  a  satirical  character  were  also  written 
at  various  times.  Lyndsay  died  in  April  1 555. 

Although  Lyndsay  never,  so  far  as  we  can  see,  formally 
attached  himself  to  the  party  of  the  Reformers,  his  bold 
censure  and  biting  satire  rendered  great  service  to  the  Refor- 
mation, and  he  enjoyed  a  wide  and  lasting  popularity. 


THE  TAILL  OF  EAUF  COILYEAK. 


The  humorous  metrical  romance  of  Rauf  Coifyear  seems 
to  have  enjoyed  a  high  popularity  in  Scotland  about  the 
beginning  of  the  sixteenth  century.  Dunbar,  complaining  to 
James  IV.  (about  1500)  that  he  is  persistently  neglected, 
while  his  sovereign's  favours  are  lavished  on  people  of  no 
birth  or  merit,  but  pushing  and  self-assertive,  says — 

"Quhen  servit  is  all  uthir  man, 
Gentill  and  sempill  off  euery  clan, 

Kyne  of  Rauf  Coilsear,  and  Johne  the  Reif, 
Na  thing  I  get,  nor  conqueis  can."     (To  the  King,  31-34) 

So  Gawin  Douglas,  in  his  Police  of  Honour  (1901)  places 
Rauf  Coil^ear  with  other  famous  personages  of  romance  and 
tradition  whom  the  poet  sees  in  the  glass  of  Venus : 

"I  saw  Raf  Coi^ear  with  his  thrawin  brow, 
Crabbit  Johne  the  Reif,  and  auld  Cowkeywis  sow."     (I,  65) 

It  is  to  be  noted,  however,  that  in  neither  of  these  passages 
is  there  direct  reference  to  any  particular  poem  or  narrative ; 
and  Rauf  Coil^ear,  like  Robin  Hood  (also  mentioned  by 
Douglas)  might  have  been  the  hero  of  various  popular  tradi- 
tions. But  in  the  Complaynt  of  Scotland  (about  1549)  there 
is  a  direct  allusion  to  an  extant  poem  or  tale  bearing  this 
name.  Among  the  tales  that  the  shepherds  tell,  "some  in 
prose  and  some  in  verse,"  are  mentioned,  "the  tayl  of  Syr 

23 


24  The  Taill  of  Rauf  Coityear. 

Euan,  Arthours  Knycht,  Rauf  Coll^ear  ....  Gauen  and 
Oollogras  ....  Robene  Hude  and  Lytil  Johne." 

But,  though  long  deservedly  popular,  this  romance  seems 
to  have  fallen  into  neglect.  No  manuscript  of  it  is  extant. 
It  was  included,  it  is  true,  in  the  Asloan  MS.  (written  about 
1515)  as  appears  from  the  table  of  contents,  but  the  leaves 
containing  it  are  lost.  At  the  revival  of  interest  in  the  early 
Scottish  literature,  toward  the  close  of  the  eighteenth  century, 
these  references  seem  to  have  been  all  that  was  known  of  it. 

In  1821  a  single  copy  of  the  poem  was  discovered  in  the 
Advocates'  Library  in  Edinburgh,  and  it  still  remains  unique. 
It  is  a  pamphlet  of  sixteen  leaves,  printed  by  Robert  Lekpre- 
uik  at  St.  Andrews,  in  1572,  and  bears  the  title : 

"Heir  beginnis  the  taill  of  Rauf  Coiljear  how  he  harbreit  King 
Charlis," 

and  ends  with  the  colophon  : 

"Imprentit  at  Sanctandrois  be  Robert  Lekpreuik.    Anno  1572." 

As  this  is  at  present  the  only  authority  for  the  text,  it  is 
fortunate  that  it  is  remarkably  free  from  errors. 

Rauf  Coifyear  was  included  in  Laing's  Select  Remains  of 
Ancient  Popular  and  Romance  Poetry,  published  in  1822,  and 
republished  by  John  Small  in  1885.  It  was  edited  by  S.  J. 
H.  Herrtage  for  the  Early  English  Text  Society  as  Part  VI. 
of  the  English  Charlemagne  Romances,  issued  in  1882.  In 
1892-97  it  was  included  in  a  collection  of  Scottish  Alliterative 
Poems,  edited,  with  notes  and  glossary,  by  F.  J.  Amours,  and 
published  by  the  Scottish  Text  Society  ;  and  in  1894  the  text, 
with  an  introduction  (in  German)  by  Dr.  M.  Tonndorf 
appeared  at  Berlin. 

This  poem,  which  seems  to  be  the  solitary  English  metrical 


The  Taill  of  Rauf  C&iljear.  25 

romance  of  the  Charlemagne  cycle,  holds  an  intermediate 
place  between  the  chivalry-romance  and  the  humorous  folk- 
tale. Like  the  former  it  is  told  with  great  gravity,  and  in  a 
careful  and  elaborate  versification ;  and  like  the  latter  it  is 
simple,  direct,  and  graphic  in  narration,  and  flavoured  with  a 
quiet  humour  which  is  unknown  to  the  chivalry-romance. 

As  in  others  of  these  metrical  romances,  the  story  comprises 
two  adventures,  which  have  a  more  artistic  connection  than  is 
usually  the  case.  The  story,  in  brief,  is  as  follows : — 

Two  days  before  the  great  Yule  festival,  the  Emperor, 
Charles  the  Great,  returning  to  Paris  with  a  retinue  of  nobles 
and  knights  from  a  pilgrimage  to  St.  Thomas  of  Canterbury, 
is  overtaken  by  a  violent  storm.  The  company  are  scattered, 
and  the  King  finds  himself  alone  in  the  mountains,  ignorant 
of  the  way,  and  night  rapidly  drawing  near.  In  this  strait 
he  fortunately  falls  in  with  a  countryman  leading  a  horse,  who, 
though  somewhat  suspicious  of  the  King,  whom  he  does  not 
know,  consents  to  guide  him  to  his  own  house  in  the  moun- 
tains and  there  to  lodge  him  for  the  night,  and  tells  him  that 
he  is  called  Rauf  Coil^ear,  or  Ralph  the  charcoal-burner. 
Arriving  at  Rauf's  house,  the  King  finds  not  only  warmth 
and  shelter,  but  most  hospitable,  and  indeed  sumptuous  enter- 
tainment from  Rauf  and  his  wife  Gillian.  But  the  collier, 
ignorant  of  his  guest's  rank,  and  punctilious  on  points  of 
etiquette,  undertakes  to  teach  him  good  manners  in  rather 
violent  fashion,  to  which  the  King  very  meekly  submits. 

In  the  morning  Charles  departs  early,  first  offering  payment 
for  his  entertainment,  which  brings  him  another  rebuke  from 
the  collier  for  his  utter  ignorance  of  good  breeding.  The 
King  then — who  has  already  told  Rauf  that  his  name  is 
Wymond,  and  that  he  is  an  officer  of  the  court  in  the  service 


26  The  Taill  of  Rauf  CbU^ear. 

of  the  queen — urges  Rauf  to  come  the  next  day  to  the  court 
with  his  merchandise,  and  to  be  sure  to  ask  for  Wymond  of 
the  Wardrobe ;  and  this  the  collier,  after  some  persuasion, 
promises  to  do. 

Eeturning  to  Paris,  the  King  is  met  by  Holland  and  Oliver 
who  with  a  great  company,  have  been  hunting  for  him  all 
night;  and  he  is  escorted  with  much  rejoicing  to  Paris. 
Mindful  of  his  agreement  with  Rauf,  on  Yule  morning 
Charles  sends  Sir  Holland  to  watch  the  ways,  and  to  bring  to 
him  any  man  whom  he  may  find  travelling  to  the  city  before 
noon.  Early  the  same  morning,  the  collier,  despite  the  warn- 
ings of  his  wife,  who  had  a  shrewd  suspicion  that  Wymond 
was  a  more  considerable  person  than  he  pretended,  and  feared 
that  her  hushand  might  get  into  trouble — loads  his  horse  with 
coal  and  takes  the  road  to  Paris.  Emerging  from  the  forest, 
Rauf  is  halted  by  Rolland,  who  bids  him  lay  all  other  business 
aside  and  come  at  once  to  the  King.  The  collier  plumply 
refuses :  he  is  going  to  the  court  to  meet  Wymond,  but  he 
will  go  at  his  own  time  and  pleasure;  and  offers  to  fight 
Rolland  then  and  there.  Rolland  counsels  peace,  and,  after 
some  debate,  being  convinced  of  Rauf's  good  faith,  he  lets 
him  pass,  but  not  until  the  two  have  agreed  to  meet  at  the 
same  spot  the  next  morning,  to  fight  the  quarrel  out. 

Rauf  goes  to  the  court,  is  stopped  by  the  porter  at  the  gate, 
but  let  in  by  Holland's  order,  and  pushes  his  way  into  the 
banqueting  hall,  where,  to  his  alarm,  he  recognizes  Wymond 
in  the  King.  His  apprehensions  increase  when  Charles  tells 
his  adventure,  and  how  he  had  been  rebuked  and  buffeted  by 
the  collier.  The  lords  cry  out  to  hang  Rauf;  but  the  King 
says  God  forbid  that  such  should  be  his  gratitude  to  the  man 
who  saved  his  life :  on  the  contrary,  he  shall  be  made  a 
knight ;  which  is  done  on  the  spot. 


The  Taill  of  Rauf  Coifyear.  27 

On  the  next  morning  Sir  Rauf,  in  a  gay  suit  of  armour, 
sets  out  to  keep  his  tryst  with  Holland.  At  the  appointed 
place  he  meets  a  knight  on  a  camel,  whom,  supposing  him  to 
be  his  adversary,  he  attacks  fiercely.  They  fight  for  some 
time,  when  Holland  himself  appears  and  Rauf's  unknown 
antagonist  is  discovered  to  be  a  Saracen,  Magog  by  name,  who 
is  bringing  the  King  a  defiance  from  the  Khan  of  Tartary. 
Magog  offers  to  fight  both  the  Christians  at  once,  but  is 
persuaded  by  Rolland  to  renounce  his  heathendom  and 
become  a  Christian. 

Upon  this  happy  conclusion  the  three  return  to  the  King  : 
Magog  is  baptized  by  the  name  of  Gawteir,  and  wedded  to 
the  duchess  Jane  of  Anjou,  and  Sir  Rauf,  for  his  prowess,  is 
made  Marshal  of  France.  He  afterwards,  in  memory  of  his 
good  fortune,  founds,  at  the  place  where  he  met  the  King,  a 
free  hostelry  for  all  travelers. 

The  immediate  source  of  the  first  adventure  has  not  been 
pointed  out,  and  it  is  probably  the  poet's  own  variation  of  an 
old  theme.  The  adventures  of  a  prince  in  disguise  or 
unrecognized  form  the  subject  of  many  stories  of  English, 
continental,  and  oriental  origin.  The  two  tales  in  the  Percy 
collection  called  The  Miller  of  Mansfield,  and  John  the  Reeve, 
have  the  nearest  resemblance  to  it.  The  incidents  of  the 
former  are  these : 

King  Henry,  after  a  day's  hunting  in  Sherwood  forest,  loses 
his  way  in  the  woods.  While  wandering  about,  he  meets  a 
miller  of  whom  he  asks  help.  The  miller  suspects  him  to  be  an 
outlawed  thief,  but  is  at  last  persuaded  to  take  him  to  his  own 
house,  where  he  entertains  him  with  his  best,  including  venison 
stolen  from  the  King's  forest.  The  next  morning  the  nobles, 
who  have  been  seeking  the  King,  find  him  at  the  miller's. 


28  The  Taill  of  Rauf  Cottjear. 

The  miller  is  frightened  on  discovering  the  quality  of  his  guest, 
but  the  King  makes  him  a  knight.  In  the  second  part  the 
King  sends  for  the  miller  and  his  son  to  come  to  the  court  at 
Westminster,  where  their  rustic  behaviour  gives  rise  to  much 
mirth. 

As  this  poem,  in  the  form  in  which  we  now  have  it,  is 
evidently,  as  language  and  versification  show,  not  earlier  than 
the  seventeenth  century,  it  could  not  have  been  the  origin  of 
Rauf  Coil^ear. 

John  the  Reeve,  a  much  older  poem,  is  associated,  as  we  have 
seen,  with  Rauf  Coifyear  by  both  Dunbar  and  Douglas,  and 
the  two  traditional  heroes  seem  to  have  enjoyed  a  simultaneous 
popularity.  The  incidents  are  as  follows  : 

King  Edward  I.,  accompanied  by  a  bishop  and  an  earl, 
while  out  hawking,  loses  his  way.  They  fall  in  with  a  carl 
on  horseback,  who  is  with  difficulty  persuaded  to  give  them 
assistance ;  but  at  last  takes  them  to  his  house,  where  they  are 
welcomed  by  the  carl's  wife,  and  entertained  first  with  poor 
fare,  and  afterwards  sumptuously.  On  the  King's  return  to 
Windsor  he  sends  for  John  the  Reeve  (for  so  the  carl  was 
called)  who  comes,  but  is  denied  admission  by  the  porter. 
The  earl,  however,  espies  him,  and  on  his  telling  the  King, 
John  is  admitted,  and  recognizes  in  the  monarch  his  former 
guest.  The  King  thanks  him  for  his  hospitality,  makes  him  a 
knight,  and  assigns  him  a  hundred  pounds  of  yearly  fee.  On 
his  return  Sir  John  keeps  ever  after  open  house  to  all  comers. 

The  incidents,  it  will  be  seen,  are  nearer  to  those  in  our 
text  than  those  of  the  Miller  of  Mansfield.  The  measure  is  a 
simple  six-line  stanza  in  rime  couee,  slightly  alliterated.  The 
language  (as  we  have  it  in  the  Percy  MS.)  is  midland,  and 
much  later  than  that  of  Rauf  CoU^ear.  If  originally  Scot- 


The  Taill  of  Rauf  Coifyar.  29 

tish — which  is  unlikely,  for  a  Scottish  poet  would  hardly  have 
represented  Edward  I.  in  a  gracious  light — it  has  been  much 
changed  by  the  scribes. 

Several  other  ballads  in  the  Percy  collection  and  elsewhere 
treat  of  the  meeting  of  a  King,  disguised  or  unrecognized, 
with  a  churl  or  peasant,  and  the  rude  behaviour  of  the  latter, 
such  as  "  King  Edward  and  the  Hermit,"  "  James  I.  and  the 
Tinker,"  "  William  III.  and  the  Forester,"  "  King  Edward 
and  the  Shepherd,"  "  Edward  IV.  and  the  Tanner  of  Tarn- 
worth."  Tonndorf  also  mentions,  in  German  literature,  Der 
hartgeschmiedete  Landgraf }  Landgraf  Moritz  von  Hessen  und 
der  Soldat,  Landgraf  Philips  und  die  Bauersfrau,  Brot  und 
SaJz  segnet  Gott ;  all  in  the  Deutsche  Sagen  of  the  Brothers 
Grimm.  The  tradition  of  Alfred  in  disguise  in  the  herds- 
man's cottage,  and  rebuked  by  the  good  woman,  is  but  another 
variation  of  this  antique  theme ;  and  one  still  more  ancient  is 
furnished  by  the  returned  Odysseus. 

The  second  adventure  has  also  nothing  new.  In  Malory's 
Marie  Darthur,  Sir  Tristram  overcomes  the  Saracen  knight 
Sir  Palomides,  who  volunteers  to  become  a  Christian ;  and  in 
Ferumbras  Oliver  vanquishes  and  converts  the  heathen  hero. 
The  nearest  resemblance  is  in  the  romance  of  Otuel  (about 
1330)  where  Roland  fights  the  Saracen  Otuel,  and  the  issue  of 
the  combat  is  still  in  doubt  when  Roland  urges  his  brave 
adversary  to  embrace  Christianity,  and  promises  him  the 
King's  daughter  Belecent  in  marriage,  which  offer  Otuel 
accepts. 

The  literary  skill  of  our  author  is  shown  by  the  natural 
and  artistic  manner  in  which  he  connects  the  two  adventures. 
In  these  junctures  the  old  romancers  were  apt  to  be  clumsy,  as 
for  instance  in  the  Awntyrs  of  Arthure. 


30  The  Taill  of  Rauf  Ooil^ear. 

The  date  of  composition  of  the  poem  cannot  be  precisely 
determined.  The  language  is  that  of  the  latter  half  of  the 
fifteenth  century.  The  passage  from  Dunbar  already  cited,  if 
referring,  as  is  probable,  to  this  poem,  shows  it  to  have  been 
popular  as  early  as  1500.  The  German  editor,  Dr.  Tonndorf, 
endeavours  to  fix  the  date  by  the  following  process  of  reason- 
ing. In  lines  930-936  occur  the  words : 

"The  gen  till  duches,  Dame  Jane,  that  clamis  be  her  kin 
Angeos  and  vther  landis,  with  mony  riche  toun  .... 
In  all  France  is  nane  sa  fair 
Als  scho  is,  appeirand  air 
To  twa  douchereis." 

Tonndorf  argues  that  as  Anjou  was  erected  into  a  duchy  by 
John  the  Good  in  1356,  and  reunited  to  the  crown  by  Louis 
XI.  in  1481,  the  time  of  composition  must  fall  between  these 
two  dates,  or  shortly  after  the  latter ;  and  he  inclines  to  date 
it  1484-5.  But  no  heiress  Jane  (even  had  Anjou  not  been  a 
male  fief)  is  discoverable  in  the  ducal  line.  The  succession 
runs  in  the  direct  male  line  from  Louis  I.,  the  first  duke,  to 
his  grandson  Louis  III.,  who,  having  no  male  issue,  left  the 
duchy  to  his  brother  Rene,  titular  King  of  Naples.  Ren£ 
dying  in  1480  without  a  male  heir,  bequeathed  Anjou  to  his 
younger  brother,  Charles  VIII.  of  Maine,  with  the  provision 
that  in  case  of  his  death  without  male  issue,  it  should  pass  to 
his  nephew  the  King  of  France.  This  was  actually  the  case  : 
Charles  died  without  heirs  in  1481,  and  Louis  XI.  reunited 
the  duchy  to  the  crown,  as  was  said  before.  All  this  Dr. 
Tonndorf  admits ;  but  he  imagines  that  Jeanne  de  Laval,  the 
childless  widow  of  Ren6,  may  have  put  in  some  claim  on  the 
death  of  Charles,  even  if  nothing  of  the  sort  appears  in  the 
records.  But  Jeanne,  far  from  being  "  heir  apparent,"  had 


The  Taill  of  Eauf  Coilyar.  31 

not  the  shadow  of  a  claim  to  the  duchy ;  for  if  a  female 
could  have  inherited,  Rene's  heir  would  have  been  his  eldest 
daughter  Yolande,  Duchess  of  Lorraine  and  Bar,  who  survived 
her  father.  Far  from  protesting  against  Rene's  bequest  of 
Anjou,  Jeanne  made  oath  to  his  will.  Tonndorf's  conjecture 
is  therefore  altogether  unsubstantial.  The  fact  is  that  it  is 
idle  to  seek  historical  data  from  a  poet  who  makes  Charle- 
magne go  on  a  pilgrimage  to  the  tomb  of  Thomas  a  Beket. 

The  place  of  production  cannot  be  certainly  determined. 
Dr.  Tonndorf  assigns  it  to  the  south  of  Scotland,  and  in  this 
he  may  well  be  right;  but  his  criteria  are  by  no  means 
decisive.  These  are,  (1)  the  use  of  into  for  in;  (2)  the  rarity 
of  the  use  of  till  for  to;  (3)  the  careful  distinction  between 
the  pres.  part,  in  -and  and  the  verbal  noun  in  -4ng.  But  all 
these  criteria  are  found  in  the  contemporary  poet  Holland, 
who  wrote,  as  we  know,  in  Moray  in  the  far  north. 

No  clew  to  the  authorship  is  known  to  exist.  From  the 
slight  infusion  of  the  religious  element  so  intrusively  promi- 
nent in  some  of  these  romances,  as  for  instance  the  Awntyrs, 
one  might  incline  to  think  it  the  composition  of  a  layman. 
The  somewhat  ludicrous  picture  of  the  thirty  convents  of 
priests  in  full  canonicals  marching  behind  Bishop  Turpine,  all 
"preichand  of  prophecie  in  processioun,"  seems  rather  to 
indicate  the  lay  mind. 

Tonndorf  has  taken  much  pains  to  prove,  by  a  minute 
examination  of  language  and  versification,  that  the  author  of 
Rauf  Coil^ear  was  not  the  author  of  either  Golagros  and 
Gawane,  the  Awntyrs  of  Arthure,  or  the  Pistill  of  Susan. 
It  was  almost  a  work  of  supererogation,  as  vocabulary, 
phrasing,  and  construction  are  conspicuously  different.  But 
even  without  this  evidence,  it  is  easy  to  see  that  they  are  not 


32  The  Taitt  of  Rauf  Coifyear. 

from  the  same  hand.  The  author  of  Rauf  CoU^ear  has  an 
ease  and  directness,  a  mastery  of  his  materials,  and  an  artistic 
sense,  beside  which  the  others  seem  stiff  and  mechanical. 

Whoever  the  author  was,  he  was  a  man  of  no  mean  literary 
gifts.  The  narrative  is  vivid  and  dramatic,  and  told  with 
ease,  simplicity  and  fluency.  He  says  all  that  is  necessary  for 
his  effect,  and  no  more,  with  neither  the  crowding  tumultuous- 
ness  of  the  alliterative  Morte  Arthure,  nor  the  smooth  and 
languid  dilution  of  Clariodus.  There  are  but  few  of  those 
expletive  phrases,  "  suthly  to  say,"  "  in  leid  is  nocht  to  layne," 
etc.,  with  which  the  old  romancers  so  often  help  out  a  halting 
line.  The  skilful  construction  of  the  story,  and  the  simple 
gravity  and  good  faith  with  which  it  is  told,  show  the  literary 
artist.  Rauf  himself  is  a  character  worthy  of  Scott,  and  far 
more  real  and  lifelike  than  his  Friar  Tuck.  In  all  the  extant 
early  Scottish  poetry  we  find  no  piece  of  humorous  narrative 
to  equal  it,  except  the  Frdris  of  Berwick. 

If  we  consider  English  literature  as  a  whole,  we  might  say 
that  this  poem  belongs  to  that  movement  of  reaction  in  which 
popular  themes  and  natural  character  began  to  take  the  place 
of  the  pompous,  sometimes  stiff,  and  always  rather  unreal 
poetry  of  the  court  and  cloister.  When  the  iron  rigidity  of 
feudalism  had  begun  to  soften  and  take  more  gracious  shape ; 
when  the  ideal  knight  was  no  longer  a  ferocious  wild  beast, 
like  William  de  Belesme  or  Thomas  de  Couci ;  where  the  ideal 
of  chivalry  arose,  adding  to  courage,  the  soldier's  virtue, 
honour,  or  a  noble  regard  for  one's  self,  and  courtesy,  or  a 
noble  regard  for  others — the  canons  of  the  new  faith  were 
recorded  in  the  chivalry  romances.  Arthur  and  his  knights 
of  the  Round  Table,  Charlemagne  and  his  Paladins,  and  other 
legendary  heroes,  were  depicted  as  ideal  personages,  of  more 


The  Taill  of  Rauf  Coifyear.  33 

than  human  strength,  prowess,  fortitude  and  magnanimity. 
In  process  of  tune  men  began  to  weary  of  these  phantoms, 
and  to  desire  something  more  natural  and  human.  But  in 
dealing  with  Scottish  literature  as  a  thing  apart,  we  must 
modify  this  statement.  Scottish  literature,  from  Barbour 
down,  had  planted  itself  on  the  realities  of  life,  and  made  few 
excursions  into  the  realm  of  fantasy,  except  in  the  didactic 
allegory.  But  little,  so  far  as  we  can  see,  was  produced  in 
Scotland  corresponding  to  those  fanciful  chivalry  romances 
such  as  the  alliterative  Morte  Arthure,  Gawayne,  etc.,  whose 
home  seems  to  have  been  in  Cumberland  or  Lancashire. 

For  this  difference  we  may  assign  two  reasons.  First, 
owing  to  the  greater  poverty  of  Scotland,  chivalry  was  not 
surrounded  with  the  pomp  and  fantastic  magnificence  that  it 
assumed  in  England.  Secondly,  the  sturdy  practical  character 
of  the  Lowland  Scots  was  not  favourable  to  dalliance  in  the 
enchanted  lands  of  faery,  with  beings  as  unsubstantial  as 
dreams. 

Again,  the  chivalry  romances  usually  treat  knights  and 
nobles  as  a  class  apart,  actuated  by  motives  and  contemplating 
ideals  which  the  churl  cannot  comprehend.  "  The  cherle  has 
doon  a  cherles  dede,"  says  the  contemptuous  lady  in  the 
Sompnoures  Tale,  implying  that  Thomas  had  behaved  accord- 
ing to  the  ethics  and  decencies  of  his  order,  and  was  therefore 
not  censurable.  But  such  a  distinction  was  unknown  in 
Scotland.  There  was  little  or  no  distinctly  aristocratic  litera- 
ture, such  as  were  the  chivalry  romances.  There  was  no 
proletariat.  As  a  rule,  every  native  Scot  claimed  kindred 
with  some  noble  family  or  clan,  and  the  claim  was  willingly 
allowed.  Like  the  Catalan,  every  Johnstone  or  McDonald 
was  "  tan  hidalgo  como  el  rey,  pero  no  tan  rico."  No 
3 


34  The  Taill  of  Rauf  Cottjear. 

insuperable  barrier  interposed  to  hinder  the  poorest  Scot  from 
rising  to  distinction  through  his  merits  or  good  fortune.  Here 
Rauf,  the  hard-headed  and  hard-fisted  collier,  predominates 
over  royalty  and  knighthood.  He  teaches  Charlemagne  a 
lesson  in  courtesy ;  does  not  yield  an  inch  to  Holland,  though 
he  pays  the  due  respect  to  his  knightly  rank ;  bears  his 
honours  of  knighthood  well  and  worshipfully,  and  by  his 
chivalrous  conduct,  quite  as  much  as  by  his  strength  of  arm, 
worthily  attains  high  dignity,  which  we  may  be  sure  he  will 
never  disgrace.  The  Miller  of  Mansfield  is,  and  remains,  a 
churl,  for  he  was  knighted  in  mockery :  Rauf  receives  the 
order  "  for  his  courtasie." 

While  the  first  adventure  is  humorous,  there  is  nothing 
ludicrous  in  the  second.  Rauf's  combat  with  the  Saracen  is 
as  serious,  and  his  bearing  as  gallant  as  if  he  were  Gawayn 
himself;  and  indeed  had  it  been  otherwise,  the  implied  moral 
of  the  poem  would  have  been  lost — the  moral  that  courage 
and  courtesy,  not  rank  or  fortune,  make  the  true  knight. 

For  this  reason  the  present  editor  thinks  Brandl *  in  error 
when  he  treats  the  second  adventure  of  the  poem  as  a  bur- 
lesque on  the  chivalry  romances,  as  if  it  were  another  Sir 
Thopas  (a  burlesque  of  the  form)  or  Turnament  of  Totenham 
(a  burlesque  of  the  substance).  That  critic's  recollection  of 
the  poem,  however,  must  have  been  confused,  as  he  makes 
Rauf  meet  King  Arthur  at  the  Terne  Wathelyne,  instead  of 
Charlemagne  near  Paris ;  and  speaks  of  his  "  boxing  with  the 
porter,"  and  outshining  Rolland  at  court,  of  all  which  there 
is  no  word  in  the  text. 


1In  Paul's  Grundrissf.  German.  PhM.,  n.  714. 


The  Taill  of  Eauf  Cmfyear.  35 

LANGUAGE. 


The  Lowland  Scottish  language,  though  now  degenerated 
into  a  number  of  local  patois,  capable,  it  is  true,  of  much 
tenderness  and  pathos  when  handled  by  a  master,  but  still 
rude,  and  essentially  the  dialect  of  peasants — was  once  a  noble 
and  cultivated  literary  speech,  fully  equal  in  dignity,  power, 
and  grace  to  the  language  of  the  south,  and  with  quite  as  good 
a  right  to  call  itself  "  English."  Indeed,  we  may  say  with  a 
better  right,  for  "English''  meaning  "the  speech  of  the 
Angles,"  the  early  Scottish  was  more  thoroughly  Anglian 
than  the  dialects  spoken  south  of  the  Humber,  and  was  univer- 
sally and  rightly  called  "  Inglis  "  by  its  speakers  and  writers. 

Though  Scotland,  at  the  beginnings  of  recorded  history, 
was  occupied  by  Keltic  races,  yet  the  powerful  Anglian 
people,  at  an  early  date  after  the  invasion  of  Britain,  extended 
their  sway  over  the  southern  border,  and  at  the  beginning  of 
the  seventh  century  were  occupying  Lothian,  or  the  territory 
south  of  the  Forth,  near  which  river  then:  King,  Edwin  of 
Northumbria,  about  626,  built  the  frontier  stronghold  Edin- 
burgh, "  Edwin's  town,"  which  perpetuates  his  name.  Lothian 
was  then  an  integral  part  of  Northumbria,  and  its  people 
were  Angles,  with  a  considerable  infusion  of  Norsemen.  The 
later  history  of  Lothian  is  of  special  importance,  not  only 
because  it  was  a  piece  of  England  annexed  to  Scotland,  but 
because,  in  the  course  of  time,  it  virtually  and  politically 
became  Scotland.  The  story,  in  brief,  is  this  : — 

About  the  middle  of  the  ninth  century  the  Keltic  peoples 
of  Scotland  were  united  under  one  monarch  who  called  him- 
self King  of  the  Scots.  About  970,  Edgar,  King  of  the 


36  The  TaUl  of  Rauf  Cottjear. 

English,  ceded  Lothian  to  the  Scottish  King  Kenneth  III. 
(and  a  grant  to  Kenneth's  successor  extended  the  boundary  to 
the  Tweed),  under  certain  conditions,  one  of  which  was  that 
the  people  should  retain  their  Englishry — that  is,  their 
Anglian  laws  and  language.  So  it  was  for  some  time  a  matter 
of  dispute  whether  Lothian  was  an  integral  part  of  the 
Scottish  kingdom,  or  a  fief  held  under  the  English  crown. 
William  the  Conqueror  forced  the  Scottish  King  Malcolm 
Canmore  to  do  homage  for  Lothian,  and  several  of  Malcolm's 
successors  did  the  same,  but  reluctantly  and  under  protest, 
until  the  war  of  independence,  when  the  matter  was  settled 
by  the  treaty  of  Northampton  in  1328. 

Thus  though  Scotland  proper  remained  politically  a  Keltic 
monarchy,  preserving  its  original  laws,  customs,  and  speech, 
the  Lowlands  were  recognized  as  an  English  land,  and  retained 
their  English  laws  and  language.  About  the  latter  part  of 
the  eleventh  century  the  Angle-speech  of  Northumbria  began 
to  supersede  the  Gaelic  as  the  speech  of  the  court  and  the 
laws.  The  principal  cause  of  this  change  was  the  transfor- 
mation which  the  Scottish  monarchy  itself  underwent.  Mal- 
colm Canmore,  son  of  King  Duncan  by  a  Northumbrian 
lady,  was  half  an  Angle  by  birth,  and  more  than  half  by 
predilection.  While  a  fugitive  from  the  power  of  Macbeth, 
who  had  seized  the  throne,1  he  had  found  an  asylum  at  the 
court  of  Edward  the  Confessor  (or,  at  all  events,  in  England) 
where  he  saw  an  order,  dignity,  and  refinement  unknown  in 
his  own  semi-barbarous  kingdom,  and  a  land  governed  by 
fixed  and  written  laws,  instead  of  tribal  customs  and  the 

1  Some  writers  suppose  that  the  rebellion  of  Macbeth,  Maarmor,  or 
Prince  of  Moray,  was  reactionary  :  a  Pictish  uprising  against  the  Dalri- 
adic  dynasty,  and  against  the  Anglicising  tendency  of  the  South. 


The  Taill  of  Rauf  Coil^ear.  37 

arbitrary  pleasure  of  savage  chiefs.  He  saw  great  nobles 
supporting  the  kingship  instead  of  banding  against  it,  a  free 
parliament  (the  Witenagemot)  taking  thought  for  the  welfare 
of  all,  and  a  people  who  recognized  themselves  as  an  organized 
nation.  Immediately  after  the  Conquest,  Malcolm,  who  had 
regained  his  crown  by  the  death  of  Macbeth  in  1057,  sheltered, 
and  then  married,  Margaret,  granddaughter  of  Edmund  Iron- 
side and  sister  of  Edgar  the  JEtheling,  the  lineal  heir  to  the 
English  throne.  The  character  and  virtues  of  this  princess 
were  such  as  to  lead  to  her  canonization  as  a  saint ;  and  her 
influence  over  her  husband  and  the  whole  people  must  have 
been  great.  At  the  same  time  great  numbers  of  the  English 
of  the  north  fled  from  the  severity  of  William  over  the  border 
into  Scotland,  where  they  were  welcomed  by  Malcolm  and  his 
queen.  The  royal  family  was  now  so  identified  with  the 
Anglian  population,  that  we  are  justified  in  calling  Malcolm 
and  his  successors  English  princes;  so  that  when  England 
seemed  about  to  become  Norman,  Scotland  became  English. 
As  if  to  emphasize  the  fact,  Malcolm's  children  were  named 
Edward,  Edmund,  Ethelred,  Edgar,  Alexander,  and  David, 
and  from  the  time  of  his  son  Edgar,  but  one  King  of  the 
Scots  bore  a  Gaelic  name.  As  was  natural,  the  Gaelic  portion 
of  the  population  grew  to  look  upon  their  kings  as  aliens  with 
little  or  no  claim  to  their  loyalty  or  aifection,  and  the  kings 
regarded  their  Gaelic  subjects  as  turbulent  malcontents.  A 
quite  remarkable  contempt  and  abhorrence  for  the  Gaels  (or 
"Irish")  as  semi-savages  of  barbarous  manners,  uncouth 
appearance,  and  intolerable  speech,  grew  up  in  the  Lowlands, 
as  the  literature  of  more  than  three  centuries  abundantly 
witnesses. 

The  speech  of  the  Lowlands  at  this  time  was,  no  doubt, 
very  similar  to,  if  not  identical  with  that  of  Northumbria. 


38  The  Taitt  of  Rauf  Coil^ear. 

The  numbers  of  Norsemen  who,  from  an  early  period,  settled 
in  Northumbria,  Lothian,  and  on  the  east  coast  of  Scotland, 
must  have  added  many  Scandinavian  words  to  both  divisions 
of  the  northern  speech,  with  a  marked  influence  upon  the 
grammar  and  phonology.  It  is  plain  that  the  Northern  dia- 
lects, in  regard  to  the  levelling  of  vowels,  dropping  inflections 
and  consonants,  etc.,  took  (whether  by  imitation  or  some 
internal  law  of  change)  the  path  which  the  Scandinavian 
tongues  took,  and  that  much  earlier  than  did  the  Southern 
dialects.  But  the  loss  of  records  and  literary  monuments 
leaves  us  in  the  dark  as  to  what  transformations  the  Scottish 
language  underwent  until  late  in  the  fourteenth  century,1  when 
we  find  a  regular  and  polished  literary  Scottish,  differing  not 
very  greatly  from  the  contemporary  Northumbrian.  This 
was  now  the  national  language  of  Scotland,  the  language  of 
the  court  and  diplomacy,  of  the  parliament,  the  laws,  and  the 
literature.  Its  resources  were  developed  by  poets  and  prose 
writers  of  genius,  taste,  and  culture  for  about  two  hundred 
years. 

But  during  this  time  it  differentiated  itself  considerably 
from  the  English  south  of  the  Tweed,  where  the  Midland 

1  No  manuscript  in  the  Lowland  Scottish  has  been  discovered  earlier 
than  1385.  We  have  the  same  difficulty  with  the  Northumbrian  dialect, 
where  the  loss  of  documents  prevents  us  from  bridging  the  space  between 
the  eleventh  and  fourteenth  centuries  as  we  can  in  the  case  of  the  Southern 
dialects.  Forms  that  we  now  mark  as  distinctly  Scottish,  may  once  have 
been  common  to  both  regions  of  the  Northern  speech.  The  verses  on  the 
Ruthwell  Cross  in  Dumfriesshire  prove  nothing,  as  they  are  a  transcript 
from  a  Northumbrian  poem. 

General  characteristics  of  the  Northern  dialect  are  :  In  the  verb,  -es  in 
the  pres.  ind.  pi.  ;  omission  of  -en  from  the  infinitive  ;  no  infinitives  in  -y 
or  -ie;  omission  of  the  prefix  y-  or  i-;  -and  as  the  ending  of  the  pres. 
participle.  In  the  noun,  very  few  weak  pis.  in  -en  or  -n ;  very  few  muta- 
tion-plurals. 


The  Taill  of  Rauf  CoU^ear.  39 

dialect  gained  the  upper  hand  of  the  Northern.  The  hostility 
to  England  which  was  chronic  in  Scotland  long  after  the  war 
of  independence,  brought  the  Scots  into  close  alliance  with 
France.  Most  educated  Scottish  youth  went  to  France  to 
study ;  many  Scottish  knights  and  soldiers  spent  years  in  the 
French  service;  there  was  a  close  friendship  and  constant 
intercommunication  between  the  two  peoples,  and  thus  a 
multitude  of  French  words,  phrases,  and  constructions  entered 
into  the  literary  language,  which  became  more  and  more 
separate  from  the  vernacular  or  speech  of  daily  life.  The 
latter  assimilated  many  words  from  the  Scandinavian  and 
Gaelic — to  which  some  writers  add  Pictish,  though  I  am  not 
aware  that  a  Pictish  word  has  been  identified.1 

Toward  the  time  of  the  Reformation,  or  the  middle  of  the 
sixteenth  century,  when  Scotland  broke  off  her  ancient 
alliance  with  France,  and  allied  herself  with  England,  the 
literary  speech  of  Scotland  begins  to  assimilate  itself  to  the 
southern  English ;  and  the  accession  of  James  VI.  to  the 
English  throne,  and  the  removal  of  the  court  to  London,  gave 
a  mortal  wound  to  the  literary  Scottish,  which  began  to  be 
looked  upon  as  a  rude  and  rustic  dialect ;  this  tendency  being 
greatly  assisted  by  the  universal  use  of  the  Genevan,  or  the 
Authorized  Version  of  the  Bible.  The  vernacular  speech, 
however,  survived  in  the  mouths  of  men,  especially  of  the 
peasantry,  and  in  songs,  ballads,  and  humorous  poetry ;  but 
having  no  standard,  it  split  up  into  numerous  dialects,  and  so 
survives  to  our  own  time,  much  affected  by  phonetic  degra- 
dation. 

1  For  the  reason  mentioned  in  the  previous  note,  it  is  possible  that  we 
may  exaggerate  the  Scandinavian  influence  in  the  earlier  period.  Forms 
and  words  that  we  consider  Scandinavian  may  have  been  originally 
Anglian,  and  the  borrowing  may  have  been  the  other  way. 


40  The  Taill  of  Rauf  C&ifyear. 

VOCABULARY. 


The  words  occurring  in  Rauf  Coityear  may  be  divided  into 
three  classes : — 

1.  Those  extant  in  modern  southern  English  unchanged, 
as  king,  or  with  only  the  dialectic  difference,  as  coillis. 

2.  Those  which  survive  only  in  provincial  or  other  special 
use,  as  fell  (hill),  myrk   (dark),   renk  (lists,  tilting-ground, 
whence  "  skating-rink  "). 

3.  Those  which  have  never  existed  or  no  longer  exist  in 
customary  southern  English.     These  are : — 

I.  Of  Teutonic  or  Scandinavian  origin  : 

airt,  anent,  baft,  bane,  beird,  beirn,  beliue,  bent,  benwart, 
bet,  bigging,  birny,  bland,  blin,  blonk,  bodword,  boun,  braidit, 
braithlie,  burelie,  buskit,  busteous,  byrd,  byre,  cant,  carll, 
carp,  cleikit,  coft,  derf,  ding,  docht,  dreichlie,  drichtine,  fand, 
fair,  ferly,  flan,  foroutin,  forrow,  for^eild,  foundis,  frane,  freik, 
freuch,  gait,  ganandest,  gane,  gar,  gedlyng,  gestning,  girth, 
graid,  graith,  grassum,  gyde,  gyrd,  haikit,  hecht,  hende,  huif, 
hy,  hynt,  ilk,  ithand,  ken,  kyith,  lak,  lane,  leid,  lemit,  lent, 
lesing,  liddernes,  lyft,  mer,  neidlingis,  onwart,  pithis,  quemly, 
raik,  renkis,  rid,  rufe,  ruse,  schord,  seigis,  seir,  selcouth,  sib, 
speir,  sprent,  start,  stound,  sture,  swyith,  syne,  teind,  teir, 
tene,  tent,  tharth,  thourtour,  thra,  thraly,  thrawin,  threip, 
thring,  tit,  tyne,  tyte,  vmbekest,  vnkend,  vnrufe,  wane,  wary- 
soun,  wayudit,  weir,  wicht,  will  (astray),  wy,  wynning, 
wythest,  ^aip,  }air,  }eid,  ^eme. 

II.  Of  Romance  origin  are, — 

aduertance,  bancouris,  bellisand,  bene,  cachit,  capill,  com- 
peir,  cornellis,  cussanis,  dosouris,  dourly,  duchepeiris,  dule, 


The  Taill  of  Rauf  Coityar.  41 

durandlie,  encheif,  fewtir,  fleichingis,  fusioun,  gal^art,  gentrise, 
mait,  mat,  myster,  pane,  pauyot,  prest,  pulanis,  rais,  renk 
(course),  reuall,  reuest,  rew,  ronsy,  saill,  sen^eorabill,  souer- 
ance,  sperpellit,  stour,  succuderus,  wassalage. 


VOWELS. 


The  vowels  differ  to  some  extent  from  those  in  use  to  the 
south  of  the  Tweed.     The  most  conspicuous  differences  are 
these : — 
a  takes  the  place  of  Mod.  Eng.  o  (OE.  a)  in  words  like  hame 

(home)  stane  (stone).     These  words  are  also  often  written 

with  ai,  as  raid  (rode),  laid  (load). 
ai  also  sometimes  replaces  Mod.  Eng.  e  (OE.  sei)  as  in  quhair 

(where),  thair  (there). 
d  replaces  e  in  weill  (well),  heir  (here)  ;  ea  in  jdr  (year)  deid 

(dead),  greit  (great)  ;  ee  in  kneillit  (kneeled),  deidis  (deeds), 

crdp  (creep) ;  i  in  gdf  (give),  Idf  (live) ;  o  (OE.  eo)  in 

Ids  (lose). 
o  before  a  guttural  often  corresponds  to  Mod.  Eng.  ou,  as 

bocht  (bought)  socht  (sought),  thocht  (thought). 
ow  has  the  sound  of  u  (oo,  ou). 
o  (01)  had  often  the  sound  of  u  (oo)  as  is  shown  by  such 

interchangeable  forms  as  roiff,  rufe  ;  behovit,  behufit ;  rots, 

ruse ;  as  well  as  by  the  rimes.     Whether  this  was  a  full 

u,  as  in  Mod.  Eng.  do,  move,  or  a  narrow  u,  is  uncertain. 
u  frequently  replaces  Mod.  Eng.  oo  (OE.  6)  as  in  gude,  mure. 

It  is  also  written  ui,  as  in   bulk  (book)  suith  (sooth), 


42  The  Taill  of  Rauf  Cailjear. 

especially  in  the  later  texts.  This  narrow  sound  resem- 
bling French  u,  was  probably  due  to  Keltic  influence ; 
but  the  i  may  have  been  originally  inserted  to  indicate  a 
long  vowel,  as  in  ai,  ei,  oi,  and  yi. 

y  often  corresponds  to  Mod.  Eng.  i,  as  fyre,  pryde.  It  is 
sometimes  written  yi,  as  swyith,  blyith,  kyith,  which  is 
merely  an  indication  of  length. 

A  silent  i  is  sometimes  inserted  to  lengthen  a  preceding  o 
(analogous  to  a,  ai)  as  coillis  (coals),  befoir  (before),  r&is 
(rose).  The  characters  i  and  y}  are  constantly  interchanged . 

v  (in  our  text)  is  always  initial,  whether  it  represent  a  vowel 
or  consonant,  as  vndo,  vacant.     So  u  is  always  medial,  as 
rufe,  conuert. 
The  subjoined  scheme,  though  imperfect,  may  be  helpful  to 

the  student. 

VOWELS. 

(ORIGINALLY  SHORT). 
Nth.  a,  W.  S.  a 

before  nasals  is  represented  by  a,  as  blan,  name,  gang,  wan 

(won),  and  before  other  consonants  by  a  or  ai,  as  mak, 

taill,  fair  (go). 

a  -(-  g  becomes  aw  in  dawis  (days). 
as  in  the  pi.  of  strong  nouns  (ME.  es)  has  become  -is,  as  stanis. 

Levelling  has  reduced  other  plurals  to  this  form,  as 

daittis,  freiMs. 

Nth.  a,  W.  S.  o 
becomes  u  in  durst. 

Nth.  a  (or  >  a),  W.  S.  ea  (breaking) 
is  represented  by  a,  as  fall,  hold,  old,  arme  ; 


The  Taill  of  Rauf  Coil^ear.  43 

or  by  au  in  auld,  tauld  (told  in  the  rime). 
It  becomes  ei  in  weild. 

Nth.  «,  W.  S.  *e 

becomes  a  or  at,  as  bak,  glaid  (glad), 

and  e  in  efter,  hes. 

as  -f  g  is  represented  by  a  or  ay  in  agane,  agayne,  day. 

Nth.  £6,  W.  S.  86 

becomes  ei  in  leird  (taught). 

Nth.  83,  W.  S.  a 
becomes  a  (with  inorganic  1}  in  walkin  (waken). 

Nth.  SB  (+  g)  "W.  S.  e  (+  g) 
becomes  ay  in  playis. 

Nth.  £e,  W.  S.  ea 
becomes  ai  in  gaif, 
and  e  in  jet. 

Nth.  83  (+h)  W.  S.  ea(+h) 
becomes  aw  in  saw. 

Nth.  83  (+  h)  W.  S.  i  (  +  h) 

becomes  ieh  in  knicht. 

Nth.  83,  W.  S.  i  (+  h) 
becomes  ai  in  slais  (W.  S.  slihft). 

Nth.  e,  e.,  W.  S.  e,  e. 

remains  for  the  most  part  unchanged,  as  bed,  men,  help,  anent, 
tett,  sett;  but  at  the  end  of  strong  past  participles  it  has 
become  i,  as  chosin,  haldin,  knawn. 


44  The  Tattl  of  Eauf  Gottjear. 

It  becomes  ei  in  speir  (spear)  weitt,  feUd,  meit  (meat),  and  a  in 

the  second  syllable  of  erand. 
The  unstressed  (or  feminine)  final  e  makes  no  syllable. 

Nth.  <j,  W.  S.  se,  ie,  i 
remains  e  or  becomes  ai  in  gest,  gaist  (guest). 

Nth.  e,  W.  S.  eo 
remains  e  infer, 
and  is  represented  by  i  (with  metathesis)  in  bricht. 

Nth.  e  (+  h),  W.  S.  i  (+  h) 
becomes  i  +  ch  in  richt. 

Nth.  e  (+  h),  W.  S.  eo  (+  h) 

becomes  i  +  ch  in  licht. 
becomes  e  -f-  ch  in  fecht. 

Nth.  i,  W.  S.  i 

remains  usually  unchanged,  as  thing,  find,  will,  win,  drink,  sit, 

or  becomes  y  as  in  chyld. 

In  leif  (live)  it  has  become  d,  and  e  in  mekle. 

Nth.  o,  o,  W.  S.  a 
becomes  i  in  hing. 

Nth.  o,  W.  S.  o,  Q 

remains  usually  unchanged,  as  hors,  God,  word,  ouir,  on,  mony  ; 
but  becomes  a  in  man,  land,fra,  stand,  hand,  and  the  first 

syl.  of  agane,  anent. 
Before  r  it  sometimes  becomes  u  or  ui,  asfurth,  buird. 

Nth.  o,  W.  S.  eo 

remains  o  in  sword,  worthis  (becomes), 
and  becomes  a  in  world. 


The  Taitt  of  Rauf  Coifyear.  45 

Nth.  o,  W.  S.  eo 
remains  o  in  wox. 

Nth.  u,  W.  S.  u,  (u) 

remains  mostly  unchanged,  as  full,  sum,  lufe,  burgh. 
Before  nd  it  is  lengthened  and  becomes  ou,  as  ground,  stound, 
but  o  in  wonder  and  sone  (son). 
u  -\-  g  becomes  ou  in  foullis. 

Nth.  y,  W.  S.  y 

is  represented  by  t  or  y,  as  wm,  wrz/w  (happiness,  prosperity), 
becomes  e  in  euill, 
and  ei  in  speir  (ask). 

Nth.  ea,  W.  S.  £e 
has  become  i  in  togidder. 

Nth.  ea,  W.  S.  e 
becomes  el  in  &eir  (bear),  sfei7£  (steal). 

Nth.  ea,  W.  S.  ea  (breaking) 

becomes  a  in  benwart,  inwart,  outwart,  hard,  arme : 
ei  in  eird  (country), 
and  ai  in  yiir. 

Nth.  ea,  W.  S.  eo 
becomes  a  in  7iar2. 

Nth.  ea  (e),  W.  S.  ie 

becomes  ei  in  ^eif, 
and  e  in  <7e£,  forget. 

Nth.  eo,  W.  S.  e 
becomes  e  in  se". 


46  The  TaiU  of  Rauf  Goil^ear. 

Nth.  eo,  W.  S.  ea 
becomes  a  in  schame, 

Nth.  eo,  W.  S.  eo 

becomes  ei  in  eird  (earth), 
and  e  in  seuin. 

Nth.  eo,  W.  S.  eo 
becomes  e  in  fell, 
and  ei  in  jeid. 

Nth.  oe,  W.  S.  e  (ej 

oe  -f-  g  becomes  ay  in  way, 
and  e  in  wend. 

(ORIGINALLY  LONG). 
Nth.  a,  W.  S.  a 

remains  a,  or  becomes  ai,  as  wa,  2/ia,  /wz/e,  haitt,  hame,  stane, 
nane,  mair,  braid,  baid,  raid,  baiih,  gaist  (ghost)  ;  and  ay 
irn  thay  (those). 

The  runes  bad  =  glaid,  past  =  gaist,  imply  that  the  sound 
was  the  same  or  very  similar. 

In  lord,  the  d  has  become  o. 

a  -\-  g  becomes  aw  in  awin. 

Nth.  a,  W.  S.  ae 
becomes  ai  in  maist. 

Nth.  m,  W.  S.  a 
becomes  a  in  sa,  swa,  alswa. 

Nth.  se,  W.  S.  §e 

becomes  ei  in  leid,  leif  (leave),  breid,  feid,  heitt,  leird. 
and  o  in  or  (ere). 


The  Taill  of  Eauf  Coifyar.  47 

•  Nth.  se,  W.  S.  ea 
becomes  d  in  dk. 

Nth.  S  (+  h),  W.  S.  ea  (+  h) 
o  (+  ch  -f-  £)  in  ^AocAtf  (though). 

m.  e  (§5),  W.  S.  SB 

remains  e  in  euir,  neuir,  ferlie,  erand  (with  change  of  e  to  o  in 

2d  syllable). 

It  becomes  d  in  dreid,  £ei£,  ddd  (deed) 
and  ai  before  r,  as  air,  airlie,  thair. 
It  has  become  o  in  ony,  perhaps  attracted  by  many. 

Nth.  e  (+  g),  W.  S.  83  (+  g) 
becomes  a  in  other. 

Nth.  e  (+  g),  W.  S.  «e  (+  g) 

becomes  CM  in  fair. 

Nth.  e,  W.  S.  e 
becomes  d  in  Aeir  (here). 

Nth.  e,  W.  S.  ea 

before  original  g  or  h  remains  e,  as  ^e  (high),  e  (eye)  or  becomes 

ie,  as  fo'e  (high),  also  hdch. 
It  becomes  ei  in  $dr. 

Nth.  e,  W.  S.  Ie  (e) 

becomes  d  in  hdr  (hear). 
ne(h)st  has  become  nixt. 

Nth.  e,  W.  S.  eo 
remains  e  in  se  (see) 
ai  in  nait  (need), 
and  d  in  hdr  (here). 


48  The  Taitt  of  Rauf  Coil^ear. 

Nth.  I,  W.  S.  I 

is  usually  represented  by  y,  as  wyfe,  ihyne,  wyne,  lyfe,  tyde, 

fyne,  schynand. 

It  is  written  yi  in  swyiih,  blyith. 
It  becomes  e  in  schene,  and  is  shortened  in  quhitt. 

Nth.  le,  W.  S.  e 
becomes  e  in  $e. 

Nth.  6  (6e),  W.  S.  6 

remains  o  in  mother,  sone  (soon)  do,  mot. 

o  -f-  h   becomes  o  -f  ch  in  brocht,  socht,  bocht  ;   eu  -f-  ch  in 

aneuch,  leuch,  and  ew  in  anew  (enough,  with  pi.). 
It  has  become  u  in  behufe,  mure,  luke,  blude,  Jure,  gude,  and  ui 

in  buik,  suith,  forsuith. 

Nth.  u,  W.  S.  u 

becomes  ou  in  ^oww,  doun,  hous,  bown,  thousand,  foutt  (foul), 
and  ow  in  bowre,  thow,  town. 

Nth.  y,  W.  S.  y 

remains  y  in  fyre,  pryde,  guhy,  Jeythand,  and  is  written  yi  in 
kyith  (make  known). 

Nth.  ea,  W.  S.  ea 
becomes  e  in  lesing, 
and  d  in  deid,  eist,  eir,  breid  (bread). 


Nth.  eo,  W.  S.  eo 
becomes  e  in  fre,  hue, 
and  ei  in  preist. 


The  Tcdll  of  Rauf  Coifyar.  49 

Nth.  eow  (low,  ew),  W.  S.  eow  (eo) 

becomes  ow  in  trow,  and  jow  in  $ow, 
ew  in  trew,  blew,  knew, 
and  e  in  tre. 

Nth.  lo,  W.  S.  eo 

becomes  ei  mfreind, 
and  e  in  dewi7£  (devil). 

Nth.  6e  (e),  W.  S.  m 
becomes  ei  in  weid. 

Nth.  6e,  W.  S.  e 

becomes  ei  hi  speid,  seik,  sweit,  meit  (meet),  feit,  feir  (company), 
and  e  in  deme,  grene,  quemely. 


CONSONANTS. 


That  the  Northern  consonants  sounded  very  harsh  to  a 
Southern  ear  hi  the  14th  century,  we  know  from  a  passage  in 
Trevisa's  Higden.  "  Al  the  longage  of  the  Northumbres  .  .  . 
ys  so  scharp,  slyttyng  and  frotyng  (H.  stridet)  .  .  .  that  we 
Southeron  men  may  that  longage  vnnethe  vnderstonde." 
(Polychron.  c.  59.)  What  exactly  is  meant  by  "  cutting  and 
grating,"  we  do  not  know ;  but  it  is  pretty  clear  that  the 
gutturals  were  rougher,  the  aspirates  stronger,  and  that  the  r 
took  the  Northumbrian  "  burr."  The  aspirated  w  (wh)  was 
gutturalized  to  qu,  as  in  quen  (Mid.  whan) ;  and  this  sound 
seems  to  have  taken  a  rougher  breathing  in  Scottish,  repre- 
sented by  quh,  as  in  quhen.  How  far  other  Scottish  consonants 
4 


50  The  Taitt  of  Eauf  Cofyear. 

may  have  differed  from  their  Southern  values,  we  cannot  be 
sure. 

The  following  peculiarities  may  be  noticed  : — 
6    has    fallen    out    from    chcdmer   (chambre)  and    trimland 

(tremblant). 
ch  replaces   Southern  gh  (from  OE.  h),  as  knicht  (knight), 

bockt  (bought). 

In  squechonis  it  represents  Fr.  ss  (escusson). 
d.     The  substitution  of  d  for  t  in  such  cases  of  crasis  as  layd 

(lay  it)  dude  (do  it,  Henry  son)  beid  (be  it,  Dunbar)  ford 

(for  it,  Lyndsay)  is  singular. 
/  usually  represents  Southern  v(e)  final,  as  lufe  (love)  knaifis 

(knaves) ;  also   Fr.  v  in   enchdf  (achever),  engreif  (en- 

grever). 
g  has  fallen  out  from  lenth,  but  is  inserted  inorganically  in 

cusingis,  courtingis. 
k  has  dropped  off  from  ta  (114.  566)  in  both  cases  in  the  rime. 

Elsewhere  tak.     Ma  for  mak  does  not  occur. 
I  silent  and  inorganic  is  sometimes  inserted  to  lengthen  a 

preceding  vowel,  as  chalmer  (chambre)  walkin  (waken). 

Inforfattour  (L.  L.  forisfactum)  it  may  be  due  to  errone- 
ous etymology. 

p  replaces  6  in  eapitt  (caballus)  and  wardrop  (garderobe). 
quh  regularly  represents  Southern  wh,  as  quhen  (when)  quhip 

(whip). 
r  occurs  with  metathesis  in  empreour,  grassum  (OE.  gcersurn), 

girth  (OE.  gri$)  brest  (burst). 
s  represents  Southern  sh  in  sail,  suld,  otherwise 
soh  is  the  regular  representative  of  Southern  sh,  as  in  schame, 

scheild ;  also  of  ss  in  words  from  the  French,  as  ischar 

(huissier)  parische. 


The  Taill  of  Rauf  Coifyear.  51 

Schitt  for  chill  (OE.  cyle)  seems  anomalous  but  is  common. 
As  a  rule,  words  which  have  initial  ce  or  ci  in  OE.  take 
eh,  as  child,  chin,  chosin,  charcoill. 

t  represents  Southern  d  in  the  pret.  and  p.  p.  of  weak  verbs, 

and  also  hi  onwart,  benwart,  inwart. 
It  has  dropped  out  of  cassin. 

t,  parasitic  and  silent,  is  suffixed  to  thocht  (though).  This 
rather  singular  phenomenon  is  common  in  Middle  Scot- 
tish, as  skaitht  (GG)  baitht  (Dunbar)  furtht,  vitht,  deitht, 
stryntht,  fyltht,  (Complaynt  of  Scot.)  furtht,  baytht  (Pits- 
cottie). 

w  has  replaced  v  (u)  hi  merwell,  wassalage. 

$  when  initial,  represents  y,  as  jeild,  or  g,  as  jet  (gate) ;  when 
medial,  the  French  I  mouille,  as  galjart  (gaillard),  and 
so  by  analogy  hi  coifyear.  In  senjeorabill,  nj  represents 
French  gn.  In  the  compounds  for^eild  and  forget  it  may 
be  considered  initial.  Graphically,  it  is  used  for  z  in 
Sarajine.  It  never  replaces  ch,  as  in  the  Midland,  nor  s 
as  hi  some  Western  dialects. 


FLEXION. 


The  regular  ending  of  noun-plurals  is  in  -is,  as  frostis, 
wayis.  Plurals  with  vowel-change  are  men,  feit.  Unchanged 
plurals  are  hors,  pund,  conuent,  thing ;  also  $eir  and  nicht  in 
the  phrases  seuin  jeir,  nyne  nicht. 

The  plural-ending  -is  does  not  make  a  syllable. 

The  genitive  sing,  ends  in  -4s,  as  lyfis  end.  Uninflected 
genitives  are  rude  lufe,  husband  weid. 


52  The  TaUl  of  Rauf  Coifyear. 

The  2d  and  3d  pers.  sing,  of  the  pres.  ind.  ends  in  -is? 
thow  trowis,  he  askis.  This  ending  does  not  make  a  syllable 
(lyis :  wyse,  1.  722).  Sail,  may,  and  will  give  thow  satt,  thow 
may,  thow  will ;  and  haue,  thow  hes.  In  the  pi.  the  verb  has 
no  inflection  if  the  immediate  subject  be  a  personal  pronoun, 
as  we  haif,  %e  say,  thay  threip  ;  but  otherwise  it  ends  in  -is,  as 
menstrattis  playis,  thir  blonkis  that  vs  beiris.  The  separation 
of  the  personal  pronoun  from  the  verb  has  the  same  effect  in 
the  1st  pers.,  as  I  dwell  and  leidis  (1.  50),  I  beseik  .  .  .  and 
askis,  (1.  942). 

Weak  preterits  end  in  -it,  as  turnit,  smylit. 
The  following  strong  preterits  have  different  stem-vowels 
from  those  in  modern  English  : 

baid,  draif,  glaid,  raid,  rais,  straid,  straik 

brest,  fand,  wan,  ^ald 

bair,  come. 

gaif,  gat. 

fure,  leuch,  swoir,  tuke,  wosche,  wox. 

kest. 
Daw  and  quake,  originally  weak,  have  taken  the  strong  preterits 

dew  and  quoke,  and  we  have  also  the  strong  part,  dawin. 

The  2d  pers.  of  the  pret.  is  like  the  1  st,  as  thow  gaif,  fand, 

hecht,  outrayd.     Weak  prets.  and  p.  participles  are  sometimes 

contracted,  as  huit  (huifit),  graid  (graithit),  command  (corn- 

mandit),  threit  (threipit),  renest  (reuestif). 

Of  pret.-pres.  and  irregular  verbs  we  may  notice : 

can,  pret.  couth 

sail,     "     suld 

wait,    "     wist,  inf.  wit,  p.  p.  wittin. 

will     "     wold 

mow.  subj.  mot 

tharth. 


The  Taill  of  Rauf  Cbil^ear.  53 

In  the  future  we  find  shall  and  mil  distinguished  as  in  modern 
English.  I  sail  preif,  I  will  returne  ;  thow  sail  heir,  thow  will 
neuer  gif ;  my  lyfe  salbe  lorne  (where  salbe  is  a  contraction  for 
sail  be  and  lorne  is  p.  p.  of  leis),  he  will  be  found.  Exceptions 
are  :  I  will  forget ;  gif  thow  thriue  sail ;  gif  thay  sell  sail. 

The  imperative  pi.  resembles  the  sing,  when  followed  by 
the  pronoun,  otherwise  it  ends  in  is :  begin  we  (1.  130)  mak  $ow 
baith  boun  (1.  882) ;  but  batteris  on  baldly  (1.  883).  And  so 
when  the  imperative  is  repeated,  as  "thai  may  wele  say, 
'takis,  strikis,  and  imprisonys!"  Law  of  Armys,  xxxvi. 
But  if  another  word  interpose  before  the  repetition,  the 
inflection  may  be  dropped,  as  "  gevis  audience  and  draw  neir." 
Douglas,  Mti.  I.  Prol. 

The  pres.  part,  ends  in  -and,  as  walkand,  telland,  while  the 
verbal  noun  regularly  takes  -ing,  as  stout  in  stryking  (1.  745). 
Indications  of  the  confusion  between  the  two  forms  which  was 
coming  in,  may  be  seen  in  the  participles  Gumming  (397), 
during  (924)  and  following  (347).  In  fechtine  (1.  60,  else- 
where fechting)  we  see  an  instance  of  the  phonetic  degradation 
which  has  played  such  havoc  with  the  later  Scotch. 

Strong  p.  participles,  when  not  contracted,  end  in  -in,  as 
chosin,  bakin,  fundin.  Contracted  forms  are  tane,  gone,  fame, 
lorne,  from  tak,  ga,  fair,  leis. 

The  participial  ending  is  wanting  in  forget  (1.  148). 

The  infinitive  sign  is  to,  even  before  a  vowel,  as  to  abyde ; 
once  till,  till  eneheif  (1.  316). 

The  relative  pronoun  is  that  (at,  268).  Quha  is  found  once, 
(913).  QuhUk  does  not  occur. 

This  has  thir  (ON.  peir)  for  the  plural ;  but  this  in  11.  648, 
662,  725. 

The  indefinite  article  is  ane;  once  a  (864). 


54  The  Taill  of  Rauf  Cotijear. 

It  has  not  seemed  necessary  to  mark  by  italics  the  expansion 
of  the  ordinary  contractions  for  and,  that,  the,  etc.,  nor  the 
insertion  of  m  or  n  when  represented  by  the  tilde,  as  cumin, 
wanton,  printed  cummin,  wantoun. 


METRE  AND  VERSIFICATION. 


The  ancient  English  epic  verse  before  the  Norman  conquest 
— the  verse  of  Beowulf  and  of  Byrhtnoth — was  constructed 
on  a  design  of  alliteration  and  stress,  without  rime,  the  pre- 
dominant type  being  the  long  alliterative  line  of  four  stresses, 
with  a  distinct  diaeresis  dividing  it  into  two  short  lines  of 
two  stresses  each.  Great  liberty  was  allowed  in  the  use  of 
unstressed  syllables ;  so  that  the  line,  while  accurately 
rhythmic,  was  metrically  (or  syllabically)  irregular.  After 
the  Conquest,  internal  and  external  influences  combined  to 
transform  the  type,  to  make  the  verse  more  regularly  metrical, 
to  make  rime  an  essential  part,  to  use  alliteration  only  as  an 
added  grace,  or  to  do  away  with  it  altogether.  In  this 
general  movement  we  may  mark  two  distinct  sequences  of 
transformation,  one  in  the  north  and  one  in  the  south.  These 
we  can  trace  in  the  poetry  of  the  thirteenth  and  fourteenth 
centuries. 

The  south,  as  most  exposed  to  Norman  and  French 
influences,  was  the  first  to  give  up  alliteration.  Chaucer's 
Parson  says  he  is  "  a  Southren  man,  and  can  not  geste  rum, 
ram,  ruf"  that  is,  cannot  make  alliterative  verses.  In  La^- 
amon's  Brut,  at  the  beginning  of  the  thirteenth  century,  we 
find  a  long  poem  formed  of  lines  of  two-stress  design,  and  so 


The  Taill  of  Eauf  Coityar.  55 

far  resembling  the  old  short  line,  (or  half-line)  but  more 
carefully  metrical,  sometimes  ending  with  rime  or  assonance, 
and  sometimes  alliterating  without  rime.  The  romance  of 
King  Horn  (circ.  1300)  closely  resembles  the  Brut  in 
structure,  but  is  more  exactly  metrical  and  regularly  rimed. 
The  Ormulum,  written  at  the  beginning  of  the  thirteenth 
century,  is  in  a  strictly  metrical  verse  of  "  iambic "  type,  in 
lines  of  alternate  eights  and  sevens,  but  with  neither  rune  nor 
alliteration.  The  Poema  Morale  is  in  the  measure  of  the 
Ormulum,  but  less  strict  in  metre,  and  with  rime  at  the  end 
of  each  long  line.  The  romance  of  HaveloJc,  the  Owl  and 
Nightingale,  and  some  other  poems  of  the  13th  century  have 
a  quite  modern  type  of  metrical  rimed  couplets  with  only  inci- 
dental alliteration.  This  was  the  general  drift  of  Southern 
versification  until,  near  the  close  of  the  fourteenth  century,  we 
find  the  type  firmly  established  in  the  poetry  of  Chaucer. 

In  the  north  and  northwest  of  England  the  transformation 
took  a  somewhat  different  course.  While  the  metrical  couplet 
was  used,  as  in  the  Cursor  Mundi,  there  was  also  a  revival  in 
the  fourteenth  century  of  the  old,  long-lined  alliterative 
poetry,  with  its  fierce  battle-fire,  its  piling  up  of  details, 
tumultuousness  of  description,  and  looseness  of  grammatical 
construction,  as  if  the  images  which  thronged  upon  the  poet's 
mind  crowded  and  entangled  each  other  in  the  struggle  for 
expression.  These  features  characterize  Joseph  of  Arimathie, 
the  Morte  Arthure,  Clannesse,  etc.  The  chief  home  of  this 
poetry  seems  to  have  been  in  the  northwest,  probably  Lan- 
cashire and  Cumberland,  and  it  may  have  had  a  psychical 
connection  with  the  outbreak  of  patriotic  feeling  characteristic 
of  the  time.  It  spread  also  into  the  Midland,  and  even  into 
Scotland,  where  we  find  Dunbar,  a  great  experimenter  ha 


56  The  Taill  of  Eauf  Caityear. 

metre,  using  it — perhaps  its  last  appearance — in  his  Tuoa 
Mariit  Wemen,  about  the  beginning  of  the  sixteenth  century. 
The  basis  of  the  long  line  of  our  poem  may  be  said  to  be 
four  (so-called)  iambic  feet :  u  — ,  u  — ,  u  — ,  u  — ;  the  sign  u 
indicating  an  unstressed  syllable.  But  this  u  might  be 
replaced  by  two,  or  even  more,  light  syllables.  Hence  we 
may  take  as  a  general  norm : 

/  /  /  / 

To  cum  |  to  this  pal  (ice  he  preiss  |  is  to  preif. 

This  is  a  well-known  type  that  runs  through  all  English 
poetry.     Compare — 

/  /       /  / 

Ic  wylle  mine  se>elo  eallum  gecy)>an. — Byrhtnoth. 

I  I,  I  I 

And  J?us  serest  saeide  in  Englene  londe. — La^amon. 

I  111 

That  they  with  the  planet  may  rest  and  arise. — Twsser. 

I.I  I  I 

And  starting  around  me  the  echoes  replied. — Scott. 

Slight  variations  were  allowable :  a  short  syllable  might  be 
omitted,  as 

Thocht  thy  body  be  braissit  in  that  bricht  hew  ; 

or  the  position  of  the  stress  altered  : 

/  III 

Fairand  ouir  the  feildis  full  few  thair  I  fand — 

and  so  forth,  provided  the  design  was  not  obscured. 

In  the  time  of  Edward  I.  a  new  metrical  form  was  intro- 
duced into  English  poetry,  which  attained  a  wide  popularity  : 
the  caudate  verses  as  they  were  called,  in  which  the  couplets 
of  the  strophe  were  interrupted  by  a  line  or  lines  with  inde- 
pendent rimes,  or  a  group  of  these  closed  the  stanza,  as  with 
a  cauda,  or  tail — a  scheme  borrowed  from  the  Lathi  hymns 
of  the  Church,  and  perhaps  suggested  by  the  responses.  At 


The  Taill  of  Rauf  Coil^ear.  57 

the  north,  this  species  grew  greatly  into  favour,  and  old 
romances,  such  as  King  Horn  (originally  in  short  couplets) 
were  re-written  in  the  new  form,  and  others  composed  in  it  or 
translated  into  it.  While  spirited,  and  pleasing  in  its  inge- 
nuity, those  who  preferred  the  stately  and  flowing  couplet 
thought  this  verse  not  much  better  than  doggerel.  Chaucer 
has  caricatured  it  in  his  Sir  Thopas,  which  draws  from  the 
exasperated  Host  the  cry — 

"  Swiche  a  rym  the  devel  I  biteche  ! 
This  may  wel  be  rym  dogerel,"  quod  he. 

Various  experiments  were  made  in  combining  the  alliterative 
and  rhythmical  with  the  rimed  and  metrical  verse.1  Probably 
one  of  the  earliest  forms  is  that  found  in  the  romance  of 
Gawayn.  Here  the  unknown  poet  has  simply  cut  up  his 
poem,  in  the  unrimed  alliterative  verse,  into  unequal  blocks 
of  from  thirteen  to  thirty-seven  lines,  ending  each  block  with 
a  cauda  consisting  of  a  "  bob,"  followed  by  four  short,  two- 
stressed,  alternately  riming  lines. 

The  caudate  stanza  became  popular  as  a  way  of  combining 
the  two  systems.  Designs  were  invented  of  which  the  main 
body  was  in  long  alliterative  freely  rhythmical  lines,  with 
terminal  rimes,  to  which  was  appended  a  cauda  of  short 
riming  lines  connected  with  the  preceding  with  more  or  less 
ingenuity.  Early  in  the  fourteenth  century  we  find  a  Midland 
poem  on  the  Execution  of  Simon  Eraser  (cited  by  Schipper) 
of  this  design  : — 

1  In  point  of  fact,  the  two  principles — the  indigenous,  of  free  rhythm, 
and  the  exotic,  of  strict  metre — have  contended  in  English  poetry  from 
the  thirteenth  to  the  present  century  ;  and  most  of  the  apparent  anomalies 
in  our  versification  are  due  to  this  fact. 


58  The  TaiU  of  Rauf  Cofyear. 

Lysteneh  lordynges,  a  new  songe  ichulle  bigynne 
Of  t>e  traytours  of  Scotland  J>at  take  be)>  wyl>  gynne. 
Men  )>at  louej>  falsnesse  and  nule  neuer  blynne, 
Sore  may  him  drede  J>e  lyf  t>at  he  is  ynne. 
Ich  vnderetonde, 
Selde  wes  he  glad 
pat  neuer  wes  asad 
Of  nyt>e  ant  of  onde. 

The  York  and  Towneley  Mysteries  contain  many  experi- 
ments in  various  designs  of  alliterative  riming  stanzas.  Of 
these,  that  of  the  Flagdlacio  in  the  Towneley  series  comes 
nearest  to  our  text.  Here  is  a  specimen  : — 

For  no  thyng  in  this  warld  dos  me  more  grefe 

Then  for  to  here  of  Crist  and  of  his  new  lawes  ; 
To  trow  that  he  is  Godys  son  my  hart  wold  all  to-clefe, 

Though  he  be  neuer  so  trew  both  in  dedys  and  in  sawes. 
Therfor  shall  he  suffre  mekill  myschefe, 

And  all  the  dyscypyls  that  vnto  hym  drawes  : 
For  ouer  all  solace  to  me  is  most  lefe 

The  shedyng  of  cristen  bloode,  and  that  all  lury  knawes. 

I  say  you, 

My  knyghtys  full  swythe 
Thare  strengthes  will  thay  kyth 
And  bryng  hym  be-lyfe  : 
Lo,  where  thay  com  now. 

Here  the  ninth  line  has  two  stresses,  and  the  thirteenth 
three.  The  play  is  probably  older  than  Rauf  Coifyear. 

This  type  of  stanza  found  its  way  into  Scotland,  where  it 
is  met  with  in  several  poems. 

The  metrical  form  of  Rauf  C&ifyear  is  a  regular  stanza  of 
thirteen  lines,  the  first  eight  four-stressed,  alliterative,  and 
riming  alternately,  then  an  independent  ninth  line  of  full 
length.  These  nine  are  followed  by  a  cauda,  or  "  wheel "  of 


The  Taill  of  Eauf  Coifyar.  59 

three  short  (typically  two-stressed)  lines  carrying  their  own 
rime,  after  which  a  fourth  short  line  gives  the  response  to  the 
ninth,  completing  the  cauda  and  the  stanza.  The  rime- 
scheme  is 

abababab|cdddc.x 

The  long  lines  are,  in  general  design,  the  old  alliterative 
line,  modified  however  by  the  riming  construction,  which  calls 
for  a  stress  on  the  rime-syllable.  As  in  the  earlier  form,  the 
line  is  in  two  metrical  sections,  with,  as  a  rule,  two  principal 
stresses  in  each,  the  stressed  syllable  carrying  the  alliteration. 
Using  the  letter  a  for  the  alliterating  syllable,  and  x  for  the 
stressed  syllable  which  does  not  alliterate,  we  may  distinguish 
three  types : — 

A       aa  |  ax    or     aa  \  xa 
With  ane  capill  and  twa  creillis  |  cuplit  abufe 
He  cachit  fra  the  court  |  sic  was  his  awin  cast 

B  ax  |  aa      or       xa  \  aa 

Gangand  with  laidis  |  my  gouerning  to  get 
To  cum  to  this  palice  |  he  preissis  to  preif 

c  aa  \  aa 

Thay  past  vnto  Paris  I  thay  proudest  in  pane 

1  The  same  form  is  found  in  Golagros,  the  Awntyrs  of  Arthure,  the  Howled, 
in  Douglas's  prologue  to  bk.  viii  of  his  Aeneid,  in  the  Flytingol  Polwarth 
and  Montgomerie,  and,  with  differences,  in  Dunbar's  Kynd  Kittok,  the 
Pistill  of  Susan,  the  Gyre  Carling,  and  one  or  two  more.  A  specimen  in 
the  Southern  dialect  occurs  in  Rel.  Ant.  ii,  7.  It  lent  itself  readily  to 
burlesque,  as  in  the  Turnament  of  Totenham,  in  which  the  long  lines  are 
reduced  to  four.  King  James,  in  his  Reulis  and  Cautelis,  cites  a  stanza  as 
an  example  of  what  he  calls  "tumbling  verse."  Now  we  know  from 
Chaucer,  Wyntoun,  and  others  that  the  free  alliterative  verse  was  called 
"cadence."  James's  "tumbling  verse"  is  therefore  the  equivalent  of 
versus  cadentes.  A  favourite  device  with  some  of  these  poets  was  to  link 
each  stanza  to  the  preceding  by  the  repetition  of  some  word  or  phrase. 


60  The  TaiU  of  Rauf  Coifyear. 

Of  these  types  A  is  most  frequent,  c  next,  and  B  is 
comparatively  rare.  There  are  also  many  lines  irregularly 
alliterated,  or  entirely  without  alliteration.  Great  licence  is 
allowed  in  the  use  of  unstressed  syllables.  Compare  the  lines 

Baith  tyde  and  tyme  in  all  my  travale 

Quhair  etier  thow  fyndis  me  befoir  the,  thi  harberie  is  tane. 

Notwithstanding  the  irregular  appearance  of  this  versification, 
the  rhythm  is  well-marked  and  easily  caught. 


RIMES. 


The  rimes  in  this  poem  are  remarkably  accurate,  most  of 
them  being  perfect  to  both  eye  and  ear.  So  scrupulous  is  the 
poet  (or  the  copyist)  that  he  sometimes  alters  the  spelling 
when  the  sound  is  perfect  without ;  thus,  trauale :  hale  ;  trau- 
aitt :  saitt.  Occasionally  he  alters  both  spelling  and  sound  to 
fit  the  rime;  thus  coil^ear  :  thair ;  cottjeir  :  eheir ;  fewaitt: 
saitt  ;  fewatt:  sail.  The  digraph  ea  does  not  occur  except  in 
eoifyear. 

Self-rimes  occur,  but  rarely.  See  11.  70,  303,  454,  805, 831. 
Weak  rimes,  such  as  fry  :  quemely  ;  fattest :  drest,  are  common. 
Double  rimes  occur  at  11.  377,  709.  The  plural  and  verbal 
endings  in  -is  do  not  make  separate  syllables. 

Taking  into  account  the  scrupulous  accuracy  of  the  riming, 
such  rimes  as  me  :  be  :  pardie  ;  fee  :  be  :  cumpany  ;  se  :  hie  : 
he;  we  :  lie,  etc.  (which  are  frequent  in  Dunbar  and  other 
poets)  point  to  an  i  (ee)  sound  in  the  final  e  of  monosyllables. 


The  Taill  of  Rauf  Coifyear.  61 

Rimes  apparently  defective  are  : — 
bad  :  glaid  (113);  glaid  :  stad  (601).     Glaid  (adj.)  elsewhere 

rimes   with  maid :  raid  (75).      So   in   other  Sc.  texts, 

showing  that  the  vowel  is  long, 
wan  :  ken  :  man  :  than  (765)  ken  rimes  elsewhere  with  men, 

fen,  etc. 
name  :  lane  :  plane  :  fane  (311) ;   tane  :  gane  :  nane  :  blame 

(156). 
start  :  hart  :  conuert  (891).     The  pronunciation  of  -ert  =  -art 

is  peculiar.     We  might  suspect  a  Southern  influence,  but 

even  Holland,  who  wrote  in  Moray,  uses  hert  and  hart 

interchangeably.     In  the  Thornton  MS.  of  AA.  we  have 

quarte  :  herte  :  starte,  where  Douce  MS.  has  quert :  hert  : 

stert. 
haue  :  craue  :  gaif  :  saue  (494).     As  gaif  is  here  the  infinitive 

(for  gdf)  it  must  be  a  case  of  exigency, 
suppar  :  coil^ear  :  bair  :  than*   (181).      We   might    correct 

suppar  to  suppair,  as  in  1.  221. 
haist  :  almaist  :  past  :  gaist  (830). 
deme  :  sene  :  bene  :  clene  (675).    Dunbar  has,  in  his  Welcome 

to  Queen  Margaret, 

"  Kejoysing  from  the  sone  beme, 
Welcum  of  Scotland  to  be  Quene." 

A  license  like  name  :  lane  ;  nane  :  blame,  above, 
threip  :  meit  :  heip  :  leip  (79).     Of  course  a  defective  rime, 
richt :  sicht :  knicht :  fecht  (869) ;  richt  :  knicht :  dicht :  hecht 

(792).     The  paucity  of  rimes  in  -echt  probably  compelled 

this. 

rid  :  bed  :  led  :  cled  (259). 
wise  :  douchereis  (929). 


62  The  Taitt  of  Rauf  Coifyear. 

ruse  :  behuse  :  excuse  :  dois.     See    note   on   1.  80.     Dunbar 

rimes  dois  with  russ  (ruse)  and  refuss. 
nyse  :  Parys  :  clais  :  wise  (428).     This  must  be  an  imperfect 

rime,  as  ai  was  not  a  diphthong  in  M.  Scottish, 
threttis  :  meit  (657)  must  be  a  corruption  in  the  text. 


KEFEKENCES. 


AA.     The  Awntyrs  of  Arthure  at  the  Terne  Wathelyne. 

Scottish  Text  Socy. 

E.E.T.  The  Early  English  Text  Society's  Publications. 
G.       Sir  Gawayne  and  the  Green  Knight.     Early  Eng. 

Text  Socy. 

GG.     The  Knightly  Tale  of  Golagros  and  Gawane.     Scot- 
tish Text  Socy. 

H.       The  Buke  of  the  Howlat.     Scottish  Text  Socy. 
LS.      Legends  of  the  Saints.     Scottish  Text  Socy. 
MA.     Morte   Arthure,   the  Alliterative   Version.     Early 

Eng.  Text  Socy. 
ST.      The  Taill  of  Rauf  Coil^ear  (in  Scottish  Alliterative 

Poems).     Scottish  Text  Socy. 
W.      Schir  William  Wallace.     By  Henry  the  Minstrel. 

Scottish  Text  Socy. 
Y.M.     York    Mystery    Plays.      Ed.    L.    Toulmin    Smith. 

Oxford:  1885. 
Other  works  referred  to  are 

Avowynge  of  Arthur.     Ed.  J.  Robson.     Camden  Socy. 
Barbour,  John.     The  Bruce.     Ed.  W.  W.  Skeat.     Early 

Eng.  Text  Socy. 
Clannesse.     In  Alliterative  Poems.     Ed.  Morris.     Early 

Eng.  Text  Socy. 

Clariodus.     Ed.  E.  Piper.     Maitland  Club  Pubs.     1830. 
Douglas.     The  Poetical  Works  of  Gawin  Douglas.    Ed.  J. 
Small.     1 874. 

63 


64  The  Taill  of  Rauf  Coifyear. 

Dunbar.     Poems    of   William    Dunbar.      Ed.  J.  Small. 

Scottish  Text  Socy. 
English   Metrical   Homilies  of  the   Fourteenth  Century. 

Ed.  J.  Small.     1862. 
Geste  of  Eobin  Hood.     Eng.  and  Scotch  Ballads.     Ed.  F. 

J.  Child.     1882. 
Henryson.     Poems  of  Robert  Henryson.     Ed.  A.  Laing. 

1872. 
John  the  Reeve.     Anc.  and  Popular  Poems  of  Scotland. 

Ed.  D.  Laing.     1872. 
Lauder,  William.    Dewtie  of  Kingis.    Ed.  F.  Hall.    Early 

Eng.  Text  Socy. 

La3amon's  Brut.     Ed.  F.  Madden.     1847. 
Libeaus  Desconus.     Ed.  M.  Kaluza.     1890. 
Pistill,  the,  of  Susan.     Ed.  F.  J.  Amours.     Scottish  Text 

Socy. 

Robert  of  Gloucester's  Chronicle.     Ed.  T.  Hearne.    1810. 
Sir  Amadace.    Three  Early  Eng.  Metrical  Romances.    Ed. 

J.  Robson.     Camden  Socy. 

Sir  Degrevant.     Ed.  J.  O.  Halliwell.     Camden  Socy. 
Sir  Ferumbras.     Ed.  S.  J.  Herrtage.     Early  Eng.  Text 

Socy. 
Sir  Gray  Steill.     In  Laing's  Early  Popular  Poetry.     Ed. 

Hazlitt.     1895. 

Towneley  Plays.     Early  Eng.  Text  Socy. 
Wyntoun,  Andrew.    Orygynale  Cronykil  of  Scotland.    Ed. 

D.  Laing.     1872. 
Twain  and  Gawain.     Anc.  Eng.  Metrical  Romances.     Ed. 

J.  Ritson.     1802. 


BIBLIOGEAPHY 

Of  the  Scottish.  Poets  mentioned  in  Introduction. 


JOHN  BAKBOUR. 

MSS. 

MS.  in  St.  John's  College,  Cambridge,  written  in  1487. 
MS.  in  the  Advocates'  Library,  Edinburgh,  written  in  1489. 

Printed  Editions. 

Andro  Hart,  Edinburgh,  1616. 

Andrew  Anderson,  Edinburgh,  1670. 

Robert  Pinkerton,  London,  1790. 

John  Jamieson,  Edinburgh,  1820. 

Spalding  Club,  Aberdeen,  1856. 

Rev.  W.  W.  Skeat,  London,  1870  (Early  Eng.  Text.  Socy.). 

"      "     "        "       Edinburgh,  1891  (Scottish  Text  Socy.). 

The  Legends  of  the  Saints,  attributed  by  some  to  Barbour, 
have  been  edited  for  the  Scottish  Text  Socy.  by  W.  M. 
Metcalfe  (1888-)  and  by  C.  Horstman,  Heilbronn,  1891-2. 

ANDROW  WYNTOUN. 

MSS. 

Wemyss  MS.  in  Wemyss  Castle,  15th  century. 
Cotton  MS.  Nero  D,  xi.,  British  Museum,  written  about  1440. 
Royal  MS.  17,  D,  xx.         "  "  "          "      1480. 

5  65 


66  The  Taill  of  Rauf  Coiljear. 

MS.  A,  71,  Advocates'  Library,  Edinburgh,  15th  century,  and 
others  of  less  importance. 

Printed  Editions. 

D.  Macpherson,  London,  1795. 

D.  Laing,  Edinburgh,  1872  (reprint). 

KING  JAMES  I. 
MS.  (unique)  in  Bodleian  Library,  Oxford,  written  about  1475. 

Printed  Editions. 

W.  Tytler,  Edinburgh,  1783. 
G.  Chalmers,  London,  1824. 

E.  Thomson,  Ayr,  1824. 

C.  Rogers,  Edinburgh,  1875. 
J.  Thomson,  Glasgow,  1877. 
Rev.  W.  W.  Skeat,  Edinburgh,  1884  (Scottish  Text  Socy.). 

ROBERT  HENRYSON. 

MSS. 

The  poems   of  Henry  son   are  scattered  in   several   MS. 
collections,  the  most  important  of  which  are  : 
The  Asloan  MS.  written  by  John  Asloan  about  1515 ;  in  the 

library  of  Lord  Talbot  de  Malahide. 
The   Bannatyne   MS.  written  by  George  Bannatyne  about 

1568;  in  Advocates'  Library,  Edinburgh. 
The  Harleian  MS.  No.  3865,  written  about  1571 ;  in  British 

Museum. 

Printed  Edition. 

B.  Laing,  Edinburgh,  1865. 

(A  new  edition  is  promised  by  the  Scottish  Text  Socy.). 


The  Taitt  of  Eauf  Coiljear.  67 

HOLLAND. 

MSS. 

Asloan  MS.,  described  above. 
Bannatyne  MS.,  described  above. 

Printed  Editions. 

D.  Laing,  Edinburgh,  1823  (Bannatyne  Club). 

F.  J.  Amours,  Edinburgh,  1891  (Scottish  Text  Socy.). 

HENRY  THE  MINSTREL. 

MS.  (unique)  in  Advocates'  Library,  Edinburgh,  written  in 

1488  by  John  Ramsay. 
Printed  editions  are  numerous ;  the  best  are 
Chepman  and  Millar  (earliest),  1508. 
J.  Jamieson,  Edinburgh,  1820. 
J.  Moir,  Edinburgh,  1885-9  (Scottish  Text  Socy.). 

WILLIAM  DUNBAR. 

MSS. 

Dunbar's  poems  are  scattered  through  the  following  MS. 
collections : 

Bannatyne  MS.,  described  above. 
Maitland  MS.  written  about   1570 ;   in   Pepysian  Library, 

Cambridge. 
Reidpeth  MS.  written  in  1622 ;  in  Library  of  University  of 

Cambridge. 

Printed  Editions. 

D.  Laing,  Edinburgh,  1834. 

J.  Schipper,  Vienna,  1891.     Part  I. 

J.  Small,  Edinburgh,  1893  (Scottish  Text  Socy.). 


68  The  Taitt  of  Rauf  CoUjear. 

WALTER  KENNEDY. 

Some  poems  attributed  to  Kennedy  are  included  in  Laing's 
edition  of  Dunbar. 

GAWIN  DOUGLAS. 

MSS. 

Aeneid,  MS.  in  Library  of  Trinity  College,  Cambridge,  written 
about  1525. 

Aeneid,  Elphynstoun  MS.  in  Library  of  University  of  Edin- 
burgh, about  1527. 

Aeneid,  Ruthven  MS.  in  Library  of  University  of  Edinburgh, 
about  1530. 

Aeneid,  Lambeth  MS.  in  the  Archiepiscopal  Library  at 
Lambeth,  about  1545. 

Aeneid,  Bath  MS.  in  the  Library  of  the  Marquis  of  Bath, 
about  1547. 

Kyng  Hart.     In  Maitland  MS. 

Printed  Editions. 

Palice  of  Honour,  W.  Copland,  London,  1553  (?). 
Aeneid,  S.  Ruddiman,  Edinburgh,  1720. 

"       Bannatyne  Club,  Edinburgh,  1839. 
Whole  works.     John  Small,  Edinburgh,  1874. 

SIR  DAVID  LYNDSAY. 

Printed  editions  are  numerous ;  the  best  are 
R.  Pinkerton,  London,  1792. 
G.  Chalmers,  London,  1806. 
D.  Laing,  Edinburgh,  1871  (reprint). 

Part  of  his  works  are  in  Early  Eng.  Text  Socy.,  1865-71. 


THE  TAILL  OF  EATJF  COILYEAR 


Heir  beginnis  the  taill  of  Kauf  Coilyear 
how  he  harbreit  King  Charlis. 


'  •       In  the  cheiftyme  of  Charlis,  that  chosin  chiftane, 

Thair  fell  ane  ferlyfull  flan  within  thay  fellis  wyde, 
Quhair  Empreouris  and  Erlis  and  vther  mony  ane, 

Turnit  fra  Sanct  Thomas  befoir  the  3ule  tyde. 
Thay  past  vnto  Paris,  thay  proudest  in  pane,  » 

With  mony  Prelatis  and  Princis,  that  was  of  mekle  pryde ; 
All  thay  went  with  the  King  to  his  worthy  wane, 

Ouir  the  feildis  sa  fair  thay  fure  be  his  syde ; 
All  the  worthiest  went  in  the  morning, 

Baith  Dukis  and  Duchepeiris,  10 

Barrounis  and  Bacheleiris, 
Mony  stout  man  steiris 
Of  town  with  the  King. 

And  as  that  Ryall  raid  ouir  the  rude  mure, 

Him  betyde  ane  tempest  that  tyme,  hard  I  tell ;  is 

The  wind  blew  out  of  the  eist  stiflie  and  sture, 

The  deip  durandlie  draif  in  mony  deip  dell ; 
Sa  feirslie  fra  the  firmament,  sa  fellounlie  it  fure, 

Thair  micht  na  folk  hald  na  fute  on  the  heich  fell. 
In  point  thay  war  to  parische,  thay  proudest  men  and  pure,  20 

In  thay  wickit  wedderis  thair  wist  nane  to  dwell. 
Amang  thay  myrk  montanis  sa  madlie  thay  mer, 

71 


72  The  TaiU  of  Rauf  Coil^ear. 

Be  it  was  pryme  of  the  day, 
Sa  wonder  hard  fure  thay, 
That  ilk  ane  tuik  ane  seir  way,  25 

And  sperpellit  fill  fer. 

Ithand  wedderis  of  the  eist  draif  on  sa  fast, 

It  all  to-blaisterit  and  blew  that  thairin  baid. 
Be  thay  dissetierit  sindrie,  midmorne  was  past, 

Thair  wist  na  knicht  of  the  Court  quhat  way  the  King 

raid.  so 

He  saw  thair  was  na  better  bot  God  at  the  last, 
His  steid  aganis  the  storme  staluartlie  straid ; 
He  cachit  fra  the  Court,  sic  was  his  awin  cast, 

Quhair  na  body  was  him  about  be  fiue  mylis  braid. 
In  thay  montanis,  i-wis,  he  wox  all  will,  35 

In  wickit  wedderis  and  wicht, 
Amang  thay  montanis  on  hicht ; 
Be  that  it  drew  to  the  nicht, 
The  King  lykit  ill. 

Euill  lykand  was  the  King  it  nichtit  him  sa  lait,  <o 

And  he  na  harberie  had  for  his  behufe ; 
Sa  come  thair  ane  cant  Carll  chachand  the  gait, 

With  ane  capill  and  twa  creillis  cuplit  abufe. 
The  King  carpit  to  the  Carll  withoutin  debait : 

"  Schir,  tell  me  thy  richt  name,  for  the  Rude  lufe."  « 

He  sayis :  "  Men  callis  me  Rauf  Coil^ear,  as  I  weill  wait ; 

I  leid  my  life  in  this  land  with  mekle  vnrufe, 
Baith  tyde  and  tyme  in  all  my  trauale  : 

Hine  ouir  seuin  mylis  I  dwell, 

And  leidis  coilis  to  sell ;  so 


The  Taill  of  Eauf  Cmljear.  73 

Sen  thow  speiris,  I  the  tell 
All  the  suith  hale." 


5"  -  "  Sa  mot  I  thrife,"  said  the  King,  "  I  speir  for  nane  ill ; 
Thow  semis  ane  nobill  fallow,  thy  answer  is  sa  fyne." 
"  Forsuith,"  said  the  Coil^ear,  "  traist  quhen  thow  will,         » 

For  I  trow,  and  it  be  nocht  swa,  sum  part  salbe  thyne." 
"  Mary,  God  forbid,"  said  the  King,  "  that  war  bot  lytill  skill ; 

Baith  my  self  and  my  hors  is  reddy  for  to  tyne ; 
I  pray  the,  bring  me  to  sum  rest,  the  wedder  is  sa  schill, 

For  I  defend  that  we  fall  in  ony  fechtine ;  «> 

I  had  mekill  mair  nait  sum  freindschip  to  find  : 
And  gif  thow  can  better  than  I, 
For  the  name  of  Sanct  July, 
Thow  bring  me  to  sum  harbery, 
And  leif  me  not  behind."  a 

.     "I  wait  na  worthie  harberie  heir  neir  hand, 
For  to  serue  sic  ane  man  as  me  think  the, 
Nane  bot  mine  awin  hous,  maist  in  this  land, 

Fer  furth  hi  the  forest,  amang  the  fellis  hie. 
With  thy  thow  wald  be  payit  of  sic  as  thow  fand,  70 

Forsuith  thow  suld  be  wel-cum  to  pas  hame  with  me, 
Or  ony  vther  gude  fallow  that  I  heir  fand 

Walkand  will  of  his  way,  as  me  think  the ; 
For  the  wedderis  are  sa  fell,  that  fallis  on  the  feild." 

The  King  was  blyth,  quhair  he  raid,  75 

Of  the  grant  that  he  had  maid, 
Sayand,  with  hart  glaid, 
"  Schir,  God  ^ow  for^eild." 


74  The  Taill  of  Rauf  CaUjear. 

+\  •     "  Na,  thank  me  not  ouir  airlie,  for  dreid  that  we  threip, 

For  I  have  seruit  the  }it  of  lytill  thing  to  ruse ;  *'  so 

For  nouther  hes  thow  had  of  me  fyre,  drink,  nor  meit, 

Nor  nane  vther  eismentis  for  trauellouris  behuse ; 
Bot,  micht  we  bring  this  harberie  this  nicbt  weill  to  heip, 

That  we  micht  with  ressoun  baith  thus  excuse ; 
To-morne  on  the  morning,  quhen  thow  sail  on  leip,-r^          ss 

Pryse  at  the  parting,  how  that  thow  dois ; 
For  first  to  lofe  and  syne  to  lak,  Peter  !  it  is  schame." 
The  King  said  :  "  In  gude  fay, 
Schir,  it  is  suith  that  ^e  say." 
Into  sic  talk  fell  thay  *> 

Quhill  thay  war  neir  hame. 

&  •     To  the  Coil^earis  hous  baith,  or  thay  wald  blin, 

The  Carll  had  cunning  weill  quhair  the  gait  lay : 
"  Vndo  the  dure  beliue  !    Dame,  art  thow  in  ? 

Quhy  Deuill  makis  thow  na  dale  for  this  euill  day  ?           as 
For  my  gaist  and  I  baith  cheueris  with  the  chin  • 

Sa  fell  ane  wedder  feld  I  neuer,  be  my  gude  fay." 
The  gude  wyfe  glaid  with  the  gle  to  begin, 

For  durst  scho  neuer  sit  summoundis  that  scho  hard  him  say: 
The  Carll  was  wantoun  of  word,  and  wox  wonder  wraith.    100 
All  abaisit  for  blame 
To  the  dure  went  our  Dame, 
Scho  said  :  "  Schir,  ^e  ar  welcome  hame, 
And  ^our  gaist  baith."  ^— ' 

^.  "  Dame,  I  haue  deir  coft  all  this  dayis  hyre,  ws 

In  wickit  wedderis  and  weit  walkand  full  will : 
Dame,  kyith  I  am  cummin  hame,  and  kendill  on  ane  fire, 
I  trow  our  gaist  be  the  gait  hes  fame  als  ill. 


The  Taill  of  Rauf  Coifyar.  75 

Ane  ryall  rufe  het  fyre  war  my  desyre, 

To  fair  the  better  for  his  saik,  gif  we  micht  win  thair  till,  no 
Knap  doun  capounis  of  the  best,  but  in  the  byre ; 

Heir  is  bot  hamelie  fair ;  do  beliue,  Gill." 
Twa  cant  knaifis  of  his  awin  haistelie  he  bad : 
"  The  ane  of  ^ow  my  capill  ta, 
The  vther  his  coursour  alswa,  u« 

To  the  sfobill  swyith  ^e  ga." 
Than  was  the  King  glaid. 

I O .  The  Coihear,  gudlie  in  feir,  tuke  him  be  the  hand, 
i.  ^ 

And  put  him  befoir  him,  as  ressoun  had  bene ; 
Quhen  thay  come  to  the  dure,  the  King  begouth  to  stand,     120 

To  put  the  Coil^ear  in  befoir,  maid  him  to  mene. 
He  said  :  "  Thow  art  vncourtes,  that  sail  I  warrand." 

He  tyt  the  King  be  the  nek,  twa.  part  in  tene ; 
"  Gif  thow  at  bidding  suld  be  boun  or  obeysand, 

And  gif  thow  of  courtasie  couth,  thow  hes  forget  it  clene.    129 
Now  is  anis,"  said  the  Coil^ear,  "  kynd  aucht  to  creip, 
Sen  ellis  thow  art  vnknawin, 
To  mak  me  lord  of  my  awin  : 
Sa  mot  I  thriue,  I  am  thrawin  ; 

Begin  we  to  threip."  is> 

\  \  .      Than  benwart  thay  ^eidy^uhair  brandis  was  bricht, 

To  ane  bricht  byrnand  fyre,  as  the  Carll  bad  : 
He  callit  on  Gyliane,  his  wyfe,  thair  supper  to  dicht. 
"  Of  the  best  that  thair  is,  help  that  we  had, 


Efter  ane  euill  day  to  haue  ane  mirrie  nicht,  iss 


76  The  Taill  of  Rauf  CoUjear. 

For  sa  troublit  with  stormis  was  I  neuer  stad ; 
Of  ilk  airt  of  the  eist  sa  laithly  it  laid. 

^it  was  I  mekle  willarj;han, 
Quhen  I  met  with  this  man." 
Of  sic  taillis  thay  began,  i*> 

Quhill  the  supper  was  graid. 

Sone  was  the  supper  dicht,  and  the  fyre  bet, 

And  thay  had  weschin,  i-wis,  the  worthiest  was  thair  : 
"  Tak  my  wyfe  be  the  hand,  in  feir,  withoutin  let, 

And  gang  begin  the  buird,"  said  the  Coil^ear.  i« 

"  That  war  vnsemand,  forsuith,  and  thy  self  vnset." 

The  King  profferit  him  to  gang,  and  maid  ane  strange  fair. 
"  Now  is  twyse,"  said  the  Carll,  "  me  think  thow  hes  forget." 

He  leit  gyrd  to  the  King,  withoutin  ony  mair, 
And  hit  him  vnder  the  eir  with  his  richt  hand,  i«> 

Quhill  he  stakkerit  thair  with  all 
Half  the  breid  of  the  hall ; 
».**     He  faind  neuer  of  ane  fall, 
Quhill  he  the  eird  fand. 

i.*   . 
He  start  vp  stoutly  agane,  vneis  micht  he  stand,  iw 

For  anger  of  that  outray  that  he  had  thair  tane. 
He  callit  on  Gyliane  his  wyfe,  "  Ga,  tak  him  be  the  hand, 

And  gang  agane  to  the  buird,  quhair  ^e  suld  air  haue  gane. 
Schir,  thow  art  vnskilfull,  and  that  sail  I  warrand ; 

Thow  byrd  to  haue  nurtour  aneuch,  and  thow  hes  nane.  i« 
Thow  hes  walkit,  i-wis,  in  mony  wyld  land, 

The  mair  vertew  thow  suld  haue,  to  keip  the  fra  blame ; 
Thow  suld  be  courtes  of  kynd,  and  ane  cunnand  courteir. 


The  Taill  of  Eauf  Coil^ear.  77 

Thocht  that  I  simpill  be, 
Do  as  I  bid  the,  iw 

The  hous  is  myne,  pardie, 
And  all  that  is  heir." 

The  King  said  to  him  self :  "  This  is  an  euill  lyfe, 

^it  was  I  neuer  in  my  lyfe  thus  gait  leird  ; 
And  I  haue  oft  tymes  bene  quhair  gude  hes  bene  ryfe,          170 

That  maist  couth  of  courtasie  in  this  Cristin  eird. 

J.«     4     .'.      f 

Is  nane  sa  gude  as  leif  of,  and  mak  na  mair  stryfe, 

For  I  am  stonischit  at  this  straik,  that  hes  me  thus  steird." 
In  feir  fairlie  he  foundis,  with  the  gude  wyfe, 

Quhair  the  Coil^ear  bad,  sa  braithlie  he  beird.  175 

Quhen  he  had  done  his  bidding,  as  him  gude  thocht, 
Doun  he  sat  the  King  neir, 
And  made  him  glaid  and  gude  cheir, 
And  said  :  "  ^e  ar  welcum  heir, 

Be  him  that  me  bocht."  iso 

Quhen  thay  war  seruit  and  set  to  the  suppar, 

Gyll  and  the  gentill  King,  Charlis  of  micht, 
Syne  on  the  tother  syde  sat  the  Coil^ear ; 

Thus  war  thay  marschellit  but  mair,  and  matchit  that  nicht. 
Thay  brocht  breid  to  the  buird,  and  braun  of  ane  bair,         iss 

And  the  worthyest  wyne  went  vpon  hicht ; 
Thay  beirnis,  as  I  wene,  thay  had  aneuch  thair, 

Within  that  burelie  bigging,  byrnand  full  bricht ; 
Syne  enteris  thair  daynteis  on  deis  dicht  dayntelie. 

Within  that  worthie  wane  190 

Forsuith  wantit  thay  nane. 
With  blyith  cheir  sayis  Gyliane, 
"  Schir,  dois  glaidlie." 


78  The  Taitt  of  Rauf  CoU^ear. 

The  Carll  carpit  to  the  King  cumlie  and  cleir, 

"  Schir,  the  forestaris,  forsuith,  of  this  forest,  iw 

Thay  haue  me  all  at  inuy  for  dreid  of  the  deir ; 
Thay  threip  that  I  thring  doun  of  the  fattest : 
Thay  say  I  sail  to  Paris,  thair  to  compeir 

Befoir  our  cumlie  King,  in  dule  to  be  drest.'1  * 
Sic  manassing  thay  me  mak,  forsuith,  ilk  ^eir,  200 

And  ^it  aneuch  sail  I  haue  for  me  and  ane  gest ; 
Thairfoir  sic  as  thow  seis,  spend  on  and  not  spair." 
Thus  said  gentill  Charlis  the  Mane 
To  the  Coil^ear  agane : 
"  The  King  him  self  hes  bene  fane  '- "        205 
Sum  tyme  of  sic  fair." 

> '     Of  capounis  and  cunningis  thay  had  plentie, 

With  wyne  at  thair  will  and  eik  vennysoun  ; 
Byrdis  bakin  in  breid,  the  best  that  may  be ; 

Thus  full  freschlie  thay  fiire  into  fusioun.  v  210 

The  Carll  with  ane  cleir  voce  carpit  on  he, 

Said,  "  Gyll,  lat  the  cop  raik  for  my  bennysoun  ; 
And  gar  our  gaist  begin,  and  syne  drink  thow  to  me ; 

Sen  he  is  ane  stranger,  me  think  it  ressoun." 
Thay  drank  dreichlie  about,  thay  wosche,  and  thay  rais.       215 
The  King  with  ane  blyith  cheir 
Thankit  the  Coil^eir, 
Syne  all  the  thre  into  feir 

To  the  fyre  gais.  ^xx 


Quhen  thay  had  maid  thame  eis,  the  Coil^ear  tald 

Mony  sindrie  taillis  efter  suppair. 
Ane  bricht  byrnand  fyre  was  byrnand  full  bald ; 


The  Taill  of  Rauf  Coityar.  79 

The  King  held  gude  countenance  and  company  bair, 
And  euer  to  his  asking  ane  answer  he  ^ald ; 

Quhill  at  the  last  he  began  to  frane  farther  mair  :  225 

"  In  faith,  freind,  I  wald  wit,  tell  gif  ^e  wald, 

Quhair  is  thy  maist  wynning?"  said  the  Coil^ear. 
"  Out  of  weir,"  said  the  King,  "  I  wayndit  neuer  to  tell : 
With  my  Lady  the  Quene 
In  office  maist  haue  I  bene,  230 

All  thir  ^eiris  fyftene, 

In  the  Court  for  to  dwell." 

"  Quhat  kin  office  art  thow  in  quhen  thow  art  at  hame, 

Gif  thow  dwellis  with  the  Quene,  proudest  in.panej* " 
"Ane  chyld  of  hir  chalmer,  Schir,  be  Sanct  Jame,  235 

And  thocht  my  self  it  say,  maist  in  wart  of  ane : 
For  my  dwelling  to  nicht  I  dreid  me  for  blame." 

"  Quhat  sail  I  cal  the,"  said  the  Coil^ear,  "  quhen  thow 

art  hyne  gane  ?  " 
"  Wymond  of  the  Wardrop  is  my  richt  name ; 

Quhair  euer  thow  findis  me  befoir  the,  thi  harberie  is  feme.  240 
And  thow  will  cum  to  the  Court,  this  I 


Thow  sail  haue,  for  thy  fewaill, 
For  my  saik,  the  better  saill,  - 
And  on  wart  to  thy-trauaill. 

-    ta^"i 

*         Worth  ane  laid  or  twa." 


He  said  :  "  I  haue  na  knawledge  quhair  the  Court  lyis, 

And  I  am  wonder  wa  to  cum  quhair  I  am  vnkend." 

^ 

"  And  I  sail  say  the  the  suith  on  ilk  syde,  i-wis, 

That  thow  sail  wit  weill  aneuch  or  I  fra  the  wend. 
Baith  the  King  and  the  Quene  meitis  in  Paris, 


80  The  Taitt  of  Rauf  Cailjear. 

\ 
For  to  hald  thair  ^ule  togidder,  for  scho  is  efter  send. 

Thair  may  thow  sell,  be  ressoun,  als  deir  as  thow  will  prys ; 

And  ^it  I  sail  help  the  gif  I  ocht  may  amend, 
For  I  am  knawin  with  omciaris  in  cais  thow  cum  thair. 

Haue  gude  thocht  on  my  name,  2» 

And  speir  gif  I  be  at  hame, 
For  I  suppois,  be  Sanct  Jame, 
Thow  sail  the  better  fair." 

*.  *  *      "  Me  think  it  ressoun,  be  the  Rude,  that  I  do  thy  rid, 

In  cais  I  cum  to  the  Court  and  knaw  bot  the  ane. '  260 

Is  nane  sa  gude  as  drink,  and  gang  to  our  bed, 

For  als  far  as  I  wait,  the  nicht  is  furth  gane." 
To  ane  preuie  chalmer  beliue  thay  him  led, 

Quhair  ane  burely  bed  was  wrocht  in  that  wane, 
Closit  with  courtingis,  and  ctimlie  cled :  zw 

Of  the  worthiest  wyne  wantit  thay  nane. 
The  Coil^ear  and  his  wyfe  baith  with  him  thay  ^eid, 
To  serue  him  all  at  thay  mocht, 
Till  he  was  in  bed  brocht. 
Mair  the  King  spak  nocht,  w> 

Bot  thankit  thame  thair  deid. 

5L  ^l .   Vpon  the  morne  airlie,  quhen  it  was  day, 

The  King  buskit  him  sone,  with  scant  of  squyary. 
Wachis  and  wardroparis  all  war  away, 

That  war  wont  for  to  walkin  mony  worthy.  275 

Ane  pauyot  preuilie  brocht  him  his  palfray, 

The  King  thocht  lang  of  this  lyfe,  and  lap  on  in  hy ; 
Than  callit  he  on  the  Carll,  anent  quhair  he  lay, 

For  to  tak  his  leif,  than  spak  he  freindly ; 
Than  walkinnit  thay  baith,  and  hard  he  was  thair.  » 


The  Taitl  of  Rauf  Coifyear.  81. 

The  Carll  start  vp  sone, 
And  prayit  him  to  abyde  none  : 
"  Quhill  thir  wickit  wedderis  be  done, 
I  rid  nocht  26  fair." 

0>/5."Sa  mot  I  thriue,"  said  the  King,  "me  war  laith  to  byde;  235 

Is  not  the  morne  ^ule  day,  foremest  of  the  ^eir  ? 
Ane  man  that  office  suld  beir  be  tyme  at  this  tyde, 

He  willjbe  found  in  his  fault  that  wantis,  foroutin  weir. 
I  se  the  firmament  fair  vpon  ather  syde, 

I  will  returne  to  the  Court  quhill  the  wedder  is  cleir.        290 
Call  furth  the  gude  wyfe,  lat  pay  hir  or  we  ryde, 

For  the  worthie  harberie  that  I  haue  fundin  heir." 
"  Lat  be,  God  forbid,"  the  Coil^ear  said, 

"  And  thow  of  Charlis  cumpany, 
Cheif  King  of  cheualry,  29*. 

That  for  ane  nichtis  barbery 
Pay  suld  be  laid." 

5^  W    "  2,ea,  sen  it  is  sa  that  thow  will  haue  na  pay, 

Cum  the  morne  to  the  Court  and  do  my  counsall ; 
Deliuer  the  and  bring  ane  laid,  and  mak  na  delay  j-J£.n.Jlv  30° 

Thow  may  not  scharne  with  thy  craft,  gif  thow  thriue  sail. 
Gif  I  may  help  the  ochtto  sell,  forsuith  I  sail  assay, 

And  als  my  self  wald  hauesum  of  the  fewall." 
.  "  Peter  ! "  he  said,  "  I  sail  Jreffijtne  morne,  gif  I  may, 

To  bring  coillis  to  the  Court,  to  se  gif  thay  sell  sail."       sos 
"  Se  that  thow  let  nocht,  I  pray  the,"  said  the  King. 
"  In  faith,"  said  the  Coil^ear, 
"  Traist  weill  I  salbe  thair, 

For  thow  will  neuer  gif  the  mair 

T          i  i     •    '•v- aX^jUUj^O't*— 

lo  mak  ane  lesmgC  sio 

6 


82  The  Taitt  of  Rauf  C&iljear. 

*      '  Bot  tell  me  now,  lelely,  quhat  is  thy  richt  name  ? 

I  will  forget  the  morne,  and  ony  man  me  greif." 
"  Wymond  of  the  Wardrop,  I  bid  not  to  lane ; 

Tak  gude  tent  to  my  name,  the  Court  gif  thow  will  preif." 
"  That  I  haue  said  I  sail  hald,  and  that  I  tell  the  plane ;      sis 

Quhair  ony  coil^ear  may  enchaip,  I  trow  till  encheif." 
Quhen  he  had  grantit  him  to  cum,  than  was  the  King  fane, 

And  withoutin  ony  mair  let,  than  he  tuke  his  leif. 
Than  the  Coil^ear  had  greit  thocht  on  the  cunnand  he  had  maid, 
Went  to  the  charcoill  in  hy  320 

To  mak  his  chauffray  reddy ; 
Agane  the  morne  airly 
He  ordanit  him  ane  laid. 

f  

-  **  •       The  lyft  lemit  up  beliue,  and  licht  was  the  day  ; 

The  King  had  greit  knawledge  the  countrie  to  ken.  325 

Schir  Holland  and  Oliuer  come  rydand  the  way, 

With  thame  ane  thousand  and  ma  of  fensabill  men 
War  wanderand  all  the  nicht  ouir,  and  mony  ma  than  thay, 

On  ilk  airt  outwart  war  ordanit  sic  ten  ; 
Gif  thay  micht  heir  of  the  King,  or  happin  quhair  he  lay ;  sso  ' 

To  Jesus  Christ  thay  pray,  that  grace  thame  to  len. 
Als  sone  as  Schir  Holland  saw  it  was  the  King, 
He  kneillit  doun  in  the  place, 
Thankand  God  ane  greit  space  ; 
Thair  was  ane  meting  of  grace  sss 

At  that  gaddering. 

<L  |.     The  gentill  knicht,  Schir  Holland,  he  kneilit  on  his  kne, 

Thankand  greit  God  that  mekill  was  of  micht ; 
Schir  Oliuer  at  his  hand,  and  bischoppis  thre, 

Withoutin  com  mourns  tnatcmne,  and  mony  vther  knicht.  34J 


The  Taitt  of  Rauf  Coifyear.  83 

Than  to  Paris  thay  pas,  all  that  cheualrie, 
Betuix  none  of  the  day  and  sule  nicht. 
The  gentill  Bischop  Turmne  JuaamaodLthay  se 

•UrU-Mt^y*  ftA*.-/f  ~Vv«  •\r- 

With  threttie  cmmejit  of  preistis^reuest  at  ane  sickt, 
Preichand  of  prophecie  in  processioun.  345 

Efter  thame,  baith  fer  and 

V** 

Folkis  following  in  fe.ni, 

Thankand  God  with  gude  cheir, 

Thair  Lord  was  gane  to  toun. 

-  Quhenlhay^Princis  appeirit  into  Paris,  350 

Ilk  rewjyallie  with  riches  thame  arrayis ; 
Thair  was  digne  seruice  done  at  Sanct  Dyonys, 

With  mony  proud  Prelat,  as  thejkuik  sayis. 
Syneto  supper  thay  went  within  the  Palys ; 

Befoir  that  mirthfull  man  menstrallis  playis.  sw 

'Sr«T\^''  ^OTVL. 
Mony  wicht  wyns  sone,  worthie  and  wise, 

Was  sene  at  that  semblay  ane  and  twentie  dayis  ; 
With  all  kin_principall  plentie  for  his  plesance. 

Thay  callit  it  the  best  ^ule  than, 
And  maist  worthie  began,  m 

Sen  euer  King  Charlis  was  man, 
Or  euer  was  in  France. 

Than  vpon  the  morne  airlie,  quhen  the  day  dew, 

The  Coil^ear  had  greit  thocht  quhat  he  had  vnder  tane ; 

He  kest  twa  creillis  on  ane  capill  with  coillis  anew,  355 

Wandit  thame  with  widdeis  to  wend  on  that  wane. 

"  Mary,  it  is  not  my  counsall,  bot  ^one  man  that  ^e  knew, 
To  do  ^ow  in  his  gentrise,"  said  Gyliane. 

"  Thow  gaif  him  ane  outragious  blaw,  and  greit  boist  blew ; 


84  The  Taitt  of  Rauf  Oottjear. 

In  faith  thow  suld  haue  bocht  it  deir,  and  he  had  bene 

allane.  wo 

For  thy,  hald  }ow  fra  the  Court,  for  ocht  that  may  be. 
}one  man  that  thow  outrayd 
Is  not  sa  simpill  as  he  said  ; 
Thairun  my  lyfe  dar  I  layd, 

That  sail  thow  heir  and  se."  375 

"  sea.  Dame,  haue  nane  dreid  of  my  lyfe  to  day, 

.  .  'LyyXAfryfr  •.      «rCww-. 

Lat  me  wirk  as  I  will,  thejwe^cLis  mine  ajwjn. 

I  spak  not  out  of  ressoun,  the  suim  gif  I  sail  say, 

To  "Wymqnd  oftheWardrop,  war  the  suith  knawin  : 
That  I  haue  necht  I  sail  hald.  happin  as  it  may,  sso 

C^uhiddfir  sa  it  gang  to  greif  or  to  .gawin." 
He  caucht  twa  creillis  on  ane  capill  and  catchit  on  his  way 

Ouir  the  daillis  sa  derf,  be  the  day  was  da  win, 
The  hie  way  to  Paris,  in  all  that  he  mocht, 

With  ane  quhip  in  his  hand,  ass 

Cantlie  on  catchand, 
To  fulfill  his  cunnand, 
To  the  Court  socht. 


Graith  thocht  of  the  grant  had  the  gude  King, 

"*          .  ~^^ 

And  callit  Schu*  Rojland  him  till  and  gaif  commandment  —  390 

Ane  man  he  traisut;  in  maist,  atour  all  vtjjer  thing,  i^-j^JJ,^ 
That  neuer  wald  set  him  on  assaywimoutin  his  assent  — 

"  Tak  thy  hors  and  thy  harnes  in  the  morning, 

For  to  watche  weill  the  wayis,  I  wald  that  thow  went  : 

Gif  thpw  meitis  onv  Ka 
^^^tname  Dounto  tnisburTTiell  the  mine  intent  ; 

Or  gyf  thow  seis  ony  man  cumming  furth  the  way, 


The  Taill  of  Eauf  Gril}ear.  85 


Quhat  sumeuer  that  he  be, 
Bring  him  haistely  to  me, 
Befoir  none  that  I  him  se  *» 

In  this  hall  the  day." 

Schir  Rolland  had  greit  ferly,  and  in  hart  kest 
Quhat  that  suld  betakin  that  the  King  tald  ; 
Vpon  solempnit  ^ule  day,  quhen  ilk  man  suld  rest, 

That  him  behouit  neidlingis  to  watche  on  the  wald,  *>s 

Quhen  his  God  to  serue  he  suld  haue  him  drest  ; 

And  syne,  with  ane  blyith  cheir,  buskit  that  bald. 
Out  of  Paris  proudly  he  preikit  full  prest 

Intill  his  harnes  all  haill  his  hechtis  for  to  hald  : 
He  vmbekest  the  countrie  outwith  the  toun  ;  <io 

He  saw  na  thing  on  steir, 
Nouther  fer  nor  neir, 
Bot  the  feildis  in  feir, 
Daillis  and  doun. 

He  huit  and  he  houerit  quhill  midmorne  and  mair,  «s 

Behaldand  the  hie  hillis  and  passage  sa  plane  ; 
Sa  saw  he  quhair  the  Coil^ear  come  with  all  his  fair, 

With  twa  creillis  on  ane  capill  ;  thairof  was  he  fane. 
He  followit  to  him  haistely  amang  the  holtis  hair, 

For  to  bring  him  to  the  King,  at  bidding  full  bane.          <ao 
Courtesly  to  the  knicht  kneillit  the  Coil^ear, 

And  Schir  Rolland  him  self  salust  him  agane, 
Syne  bad  him  leif  his  courtasie,  and  boun  him  to  ga. 
He  said  :  "  Withoutin  letting, 
Thow  mon  to  Paris  to  the  King  ;  *» 

Speid  the  fast  hi  ane  ling, 
Sen  I  find  na  ma." 


86  The  Taill  of  Rauf  CoU^ear. 

'  J~ 
"  In  faith,"  said  the  Coil^ear,  "  ^it  was  I  neuer  sa  nyse : 

Schir  Knicht,  it  is  na  courtasie  commounis  to  scorne. 
Thair  is  mony  better  than  I  cummis  oft  to  Parys,  «o 

That  the  King  wait  not  of,  nouther  nicht  nor  morne. 
For  to  towsill  me  or  tit  me,  thocht  foull  be  my  clais, 

Or  I  be  dahtit  on  sic  wyse,  my  lyfe  salbe  lorne." 
"  Do  way,"  said  Schir  Holland,  "  me  think  thow  art  not  wise, 
I  rid  thow  at  bidding  be,  be  all  that  we  haue  sworne,       «s 
And  call  thow  it  na  scorning,  bot  do  as  I  the  ken, 
Sen  thow  hes  hard  mine  intent ; 
It  is  the  Kingis  commandement : 
At  this  tyme  thow  suld  haue  went, 

And  I  had  met  sic  ten."  «o 

"  I  am  bot  ane,  mad  man,  that  thow  hes  heir  met, 
I  haue  na  myster  to  matehe  with  maisterfull  men ; 

Fairand  ouir  the  feildis,  fewell  to  fet, 
And  oft  fylit  my  feit  in  mony  foull  fen ; 

Gangand  with  laidis,  my  gouerning  to  get.  «s 

Thair  is  mony  carll  in  the  countrie  thow  may  nocht  ken  : 

a  ><^v,  vi-%_»  i^  J; 

I  sail  hald  that  I  haue  hecht,  bot  I  be  hard  set, 

To  Wymond  of  the  Wardrop,  I  wait  full  weill  quhen." 
"  Sa  thriue  I,"  said  Holland,  "  it  is  mine  intent, 

That  nouther  to  Wymond  nor  Will  «o 

Thow  sail  hald  nor  hecht  till, 
Quhill  I  haue  brocht  the  to  fulfill  ^ 

The  Kingis  commandment." 


The  Carll  beheld  to  the  knicht,  as  he  stude  than  ; 

He  bair,  grauit  in  gold  and  gowlis  in  grene, 
Glitterand  full  gaylie  quhen  glemis  began, 

Ane  tyger  ticht  to  ane  tre,  ane  takin  of  tene. 


The  Taill  of  Rauf  Coil^ear.  .  87 

Trewlie  that  tenefull  was  trimland  than, 

Semelie  schapin  and  schroud  in  that  scheild  schene ; 
Mekle  worschip  of^weir  worthylie  he  wan  *6o 

Befoir,  into  fechting  with  mony  worthie  sene. 
His  basnet  was  bordourit  and  burneist  bricht 
With  stanis  of  beriall  deir, 
Dyamottntis  and  sapheir, 
Riche  rubeisjn  feir,  r  *« 

Reulit  full  richt. 

His  plaitis  properlie  picht  attour  with  precious  stanis, 

And  his  pulanis  full  prest  of  that  ilk  peir  • 
Greit  graipis  of  gold  his  greis  for  the  nanis, 

And  his  cussanis  cumlie  schynand  full  cleir ;  v^  < 

Bricht  braissaris  of  steill  about  his  arme  banis, 

Blandit  with  beriallis  and  cristallis  cleir ;  \ 

Ticht  ouir  with  thopas  and  trew  lufe  at  anis ; 

The  teind  of  his  tewellis  to  tell  war  full  teir. 
His  sadill  circulit  and  set  richt  sa  on  ilk  syde ;  M 

His  brydill  bellisand  and  gay, 
His  steid  stout  on  stray ; 
He  was  the  ryallest  of  array 
On  ronsy  micht  ryde. 


Of  that  ryall  array  that  Holland  in  raid, 

Rauf  rusit  in  his  hart  of  that  ryall  thing  : 
"  He  is  the  gayest  in  geir  that  euer  on  ground  glaid, 

Haue  he  grace  to  the  gre  in  ilk  iornaying  : 
War  he  ane  manly  man,  as  he  is  weill  maid, 

He  war  foil  michtie,  with  magre  durst  abyde  his  meting." 
He  bad  the  Coil^ear  in  wraith  swyth  withoutin  baid, 

Cast  the  creillis  fra  the  capill,  and  gang  to  the  King. 


88 


The  Taill  of  Rauf  Coil^ear. 


"  In  faith,  it  war  greit  schame,"  said  the  Coil^ear  : 

"  I  vndertuk  thay  suld  be  brocht 

This  day,  for  ocht  that  be  mocht  ; 

Schir  Knicht,  that  word  is  for  nocht, 

That  thow  caris  thair. 


Thow  huifis  on  finFlioltis  and  haldis 

Quhill^half  the  haill  day  may  the 
"  Be  Christ  that  was  cristmnit,  and  his  Mother  cleir,       -.    * 

Thow  sail  qatchgt^ffie  Court,  that  sail  not  be  to  era 
It  micht  be  jremt  preiudice,  bot  gif  thow  suld  Qomfteir, 

To  se  quhat  granting  of  grace  the  King  waj^  the  gaif.' 
"  For  na  gold  on  this  ground  wald  I,  but  ffieir. 

Be  fundin  fals  to  the  King,  sa  Christ  me  saue." 
"  To  gar  the  cum  and  be  knawin,  as  I  am  command 

I  wait  not  quhat  his  willis  be, 

-VT     i_  -  >a&tbi&B*f      -    it. 
JNor  he^amit  na  mair  the, 

Nor  ane  vther  man  to  me, 
Bot  quhome  that  I  fand." 


"  Thow  fand  me  fechand  nathing  that  followit  to  feid  ; 

I  war  ane  fule  gif  I  fled,  and  fand  nane  affray  ; 
Bot  as  ane  lauchfull  man  my  laidis  to  leid, 

That  leifis  with  mekle  lawtie  and  laubour,  in  fay. 
Be  the  Mother  and  the  Maydin  that  maid  vs  remeid, 

And  thow  mat  me  ony  mair,  cum  efter  quhat  sa  may, 
Thow  and  I  sail  dyntis  deill  quhill  ane  of  vs  be  deid, 

For  the  deidis  thow  hes  me  done  vpon  this  deir  day." 
Mekle  merwell  of  that  word  had  Schir  Holland  : 
He  saw  na  wappinis  thair, 
That  the  Coil^ear  bair, 
Bot  ane  auld  buklair, 
And  ane  roustie  brand. 


sos 


«o 


sis 


The  Taill  of  Rauf  Coil^ear.  89 

"  It  is  lyke,"  said  Schir  Rolland,  and  lichtly  he  leuch, 

"  That  sic  ane  stubill  husband  man  wald  stryke  stoutly ;  »» 
Thair  is  mony  toun  man  to  tuggill  is  full  teuch, 

Thocht  thair  brandis  be  blak  and  vnburely  : 
Oft  fair  foullis  ar  fundin  faynt,  and  als  freuch. 

I  defend  we  fecht  or  fall  in  that  foly. 
Lat  se  how  we  may  disseuer  with  sobernes  aneuch,  sz& 

And  catche  crabitnes  away,  be  Christ  counsall  I. 
Quhair  winnis  that  Wymond  thow  hecht  to  meit  to  day  ?  " 
"  With  the  Quene,  tauld  he  me ; 
And  thair  I  vndertuke  to  be, 
Into  Paris,  pardie,  wo 

Withoutin  delay." 

"  And  I  am  knawin  with  the  Quene,"  said  Schir  Rolland, 

"  And  with  mony  byrdis  in  hir  bowre,  be  buikis  and  bellis  : 
The  King  is  into  Paris,  that  sail  I  warrand, 

And  all  his  aduertance  that  in  his  Court  dwellis.  535 

Me  tharth  haue  nane  noy  of  myne  erand, 

For  me  think  thow  will  be  thair,  efter  as  thow  tellis ; 
Bot  gif  I  fand  the,  forrow  now  to  keip  my  cunnand." 

"  Schir  Knicht,"  said  the  Coil^ear,  "  thow  trowis  me  neuer 

ellis, 

Bot  gif  sum  suddand  let  put  it  of  delay ;  MO 

For  that  I  hecht  of  my  will, 
And  na  man  threit  me  thair  till, 
That  I  am  haldin  to  fulfill, 
And  sail  do  quhill  I  may." 

"  ^ea,  sen  thow  will  be  thair,  thy  cunnandis  to  new,  MS 

I  neid  nane  airar  myne  erand  nor  none  of  the  day." 
"  Be  thow  traist,"  said  the  Coil^ear,  "  man,  as  I  am  trew, 


90  The  Taill  of  Rauf  Cofyear. 

I  will  not  haist  me  ane  fute  faster  on  the  way  ; 
Bot  gif  thow  raik  out  of  my  renk,  full  raith  sail  thow  rew, 

Or,  be  the  Rude,  I  sail  rais  thy  ryall  array.  MO 

Thocht  thy  body  be  braissit  in  that  bricht  hew, 
Thow  salbe  fundin  als  febil  of  thy  bone  fay." 
Schir  Holland  said  to  him  self:  "  This  is  bot  foly, 
To  striue  with  him  ocht  mair  : 
I  se  weill  he  will  be  thair."  MS 

His  leif  at  the  Coil^ear 
He  tuke  lufesumly. 

"  Be  Christ,"  said  the  Coil^ear,  "  that  war  ane  foull  scorne, 

That  thow  suld  chaip,  bot  I  the  knew,  that  is  sa  schynand ; 
For  thow  seis  my  weidis  ar  auld  and  all  to-worne,  sso 

Thow  trowis  nathing  thir  taillis  that  I  am  telland. 
Bring  na  beirnis  vs  by,  bot  as  we  war  borne, 

And  thir  blonkis  that  vs  beiris,  thairto  I  mak  ane  bland, 
That  I  sail  meit  the  heir  vpon  this  mure  to-morne, 

Gif  I  be  haldin  in  heill,  and  thairto  my  hand,  ses 

Sen  that  we  haue  na  laiser  at  this  tyme  to  ta." 
In  ane  thourtour  way, 
Seir  gaitis  pas  thay, 
Baith  to  Paris,  in  fay, 

Thus  partit  thay  twa.  570 

The  gentill  knicht,  Schir  Holland,  come  rydand  full  sone, 
And  left  the  Coil^ear  to  cum,  as  he  had  vndertane ; 

And  quhen  he  come  to  Paris,  the  hie  mes  was  done, 
The  King  with  mony  cumly  out  of  the  kirk  is  gane. 

Of  his  harnes  in  hy  he  hynt  withoutin  hone,  ws 

And  in  ane  rob  him  arrayit  richest  of  ane. 

In  that  worschipfull  weid  he  went  in  at  none, 


The  Tatil  of  Rauf  C&U^ear.  91 

As  he  was  wont,  with  the  wy  that  weildit  the  wane, 
On  fute,  ferly  in  feir,  formest  of  all. 

Richt  weill  payit  was  the  King  r-Hn 

Of  Schir  Rollandis  dimming ; 
To  speir  of  his  tything 

Efter  him  gart  call. 

** 

The  King  in  counsall  him  callit :  "  Cum  bidder,  Schir  Knicht, 
Hes  thow  my  bidding  done,  as  I  the  command?".  »86 

"  In  faith,"  said  Schir  Holland,  "  I  raid  on  full  richt, 
To  watche  wyselie  the  wayis ;  that  I  sail  warrand. 
Thair  wald  na  douchtie  this  day  for  iornay  be  dicht : 

Fairand  ouir  the  feildis  full  few  thair  I  fand ; 
Saif  anerly  ane  man  that  semblit  in  my  sicht,  wo 

Thair  was  na  leid  on  lyfe  lent  in  this  land." 
"  Quhat  kin  a  fallow  was  that  ane,  Schir,  I  the  pray  ?  " 
"  Ane  man  in  husband  weid, 
Buskit  busteously  on  breid, 
Leidand  coillis  he  ^eid  w» 

To  Paris  the  way." 

"  Quhy  hes  thow  not  that  husband  brocht  as  I  the  bad  ? 

I  dreid  me,  sa  he  dantit  the,  thow  durst  not  with  him  deill." 
"  In  faith,"  said  Schir  Holland,  "  gif  that  he  sa  had, 

That  war  full  hard  to  my  hart,  and  I  ane  man  in  heill."  wo 
He  saw  the  King  was  engreuit,  and  gat  furth  glaid, 

To  se  gif  the  Coil^earis  lawtie  was  leill. 
"  I  suld  haue  maid  him  in  the  stour  to  be  full  hard  stad, 

And  I  had  wittin  that  the  carll  wald  away  steill ; 
Bot  I  trowit  not  the  day  that  he  wald  me  beget."  «» 


92  The  Tattl  of  Rauf  Cmfyear. 

As  he  went  outwart  bayne, 
He  met  ane  porter  swayne, 
Cummand  raith  him  agayne,  • 
Fast  fra  the  ^et. 

"  Quhair  gangis  thow,  gedling,  thir  gaitis  sa  gane  ?  "  «o 

"Be  God,"  said  the  grome,  "ane  gift  heir  I  geif; 
I  deuise  at  the  ^et  thair  is  ane  allane, 

Bot  he  be  lattin  in  beliue,  him  lykis  not  to  leif ; 
With  ane  capill  and  twa  creillis  cassin  on  the  plane, 

To  cum  to  this  palice  he  preissis  to  preif."  v  n& 

"  Gif  thow  hes  fundin  that  freik,  in  faith  I  am  fane. 

Lat  him  in  glaidly,  it  may  not  engreif. 
Bot  askis  he  eirnestly  efter  ony  man  ?  " 

Than  said  that  gedling  on  ground  : 
"  ^e,  forsuith,  in  this  stound,  520 

Efter  ane  Wymound, 
In  all  that  he  can." 

"  Pas  agane,  porter,  and  lat  him  swyith  in, 

Amang  the  proudest  in  preis,  plesand  in  pane ; 
Say  thow  art  not  worthy  to  Wymond  to  win,  625 

Bid  him  seik  him  his  self,  gif  thair  be  sic  ane." 
Again  gangis  Schir  Holland,  quhair  gle  suld  begin, 

A'icl  tlic  ^aip  ^eman  to  the  ^et  is  gane ; 
Enbraissit  the  bandis  beliue,  or  that  he  wald  blin, 

Syne  leit  the  wy  at  his  will  wend  in  the  wane. 
"  Gang  seik  him  now  thy  self,"  he  said  vpon  hicht, 
"  My  self  hes  na  lasair 

Fra  thir  ^ettis  to  fair." 
"  Be  Chrkt,"  said  the  Coi^ear, 
"  I  set  that  bot  licht. 


The  Taill  of  Rauf  Cviljear.  93 

Gif  thow  will  not  seik  him,  my  awin  self  sail, 

For  I  haue  oft  tymes  swet  in  seruice  full  sair. 
Tak  keip  to  my  capill,  that  na  man  him  call, 

Quhill  I  cum  fra  the  Court/'  said  the  Coil^ear. 
"  My  laid  war  I  laith  to  lois,  I  leif  the  heir  all :  s*> 

Se  that  thow  leis  thame  not,  bot  ^eme  thame  full  }air." 
In  that  hardy  in  hy  he  haikit  to  that  hall, 

For  to  wit  gif  Wymondis  wyrming  was  thair. 
He  arguit  with  the  ischar  ofter  than  auis  : 

"  Schir,  can  thow  ocht  say,  MS 

Quhair  is  Wymond  the  day  ? 
I  pray  the,  bring  him,  gif  thow  may, 
Out  of  this  wanis." 

He  trowit  that  the  wy  had  wittin  of  Wymond  he  wend, 

Bot  to  his  raifand  word  he  gaue  na  rewaird ;  eso 

Thair  was  na  man  thairin  that  his  name  kend, 

Thay  countit  not  the  Coil^ear  almaist  at  regaird. 
He  saw  thair  was  na  meiknes  nor  mesure  micht  mend, 

He  sped  him  in  spedely,  and  nane  of  thame  he  spaird. 
Thair  was  na  fyue  of  thay  freikis  that  micht  him  furth  fend,  ess 

He  socht  in  sa  sadly,  quhill  sum  of  thame  he  saird. 
He  thristit  in  throw  thame  thraly  with  threttis ; 

Quhen  he  come  amang  thame  all, 

^it  was  the  King  in  the  hall, 

And  mony  gude  man  with  all,  eea 

Vngane  to  the  meit. 


Thocht  he  had  socht  sic  ane  sicht  all  this  seuin  ^eir, 

Sa  solempnit  ane  semblie  had  he  not  sene ; 
The  hall  was  properly  apperrellit  and  paintit  but  peir, 

Dyamountis  full  dantely  dentit  betwene.  «« 


94  The  Taitt  of  Rauf  Coiljear. 

It  was  semely  set  on  ilk  syde  seir, 

Gowlis  glitterand  full  gay,  glemand  in  grene, 
Flowris  with  flourdelycis  formest  in  feir, 

With  mony  flamand  ferly,  ma  than  fyftene : 
The  rufe  reulit  about  in  reuall  of  reid ;  &o 

Rois  reulit  ryally, 
Columbyn  and  lely ; 
Their  was  ane  hailsum  harbery, 
Into  riche  steid. 

With  dosouris  to  the  duris  dicht,  quha  sa  wald  deme,  ws 

With  all  diuers  danteis  dicht  dantely ; 
Circulit  with  siluer  semely  to  sene, 

Selcouthly  in  seir  he  was  set  suttelly ; 
Blyth  byrdis  abufe,  and  bestiall  full  bene, 

Fyne  foullis  in  fyrth,  and  fischis  with  fry  ;  eao 

The  flure  carpit  and  cled  and  couerit  full  clene ; 
Cummand  fra  the  cornellis  closand  quemely, 
Bricht  bancouris  about  browdin  ouir  all. 

Greit  squechonis  on  hicht, 
Anamalit  and  weill  dicht,  ess 

Reulit  at  all  richt 
Endlang  the  hall. 

"  Heir  is  ryaltie,"  said  Rauf,  "  aneuch  for  the  nanis, 
With  all  nobilnes  anournit,  and  that  is  na  nay. 

Had  I  of  Wymond  ane  word,  I  wald  of  thir  wanis,  ego 

Fra  thir  wyis,  i-wis,  to  went  on  my  way : 

Bot  I  mon  ^it  heir  mair  quhat  worthis  of  hun  anis, 
And  eirnestly  efter  him  haue  myne  e  ay." 

He  thristit  in  throw  threttie  all  atanis, 


The  Taitt  of  Rauf  Coil^ear. 


95 


Quhair  mony  douchtie  of  deid  war  ioynit  that  day. 
For  he  was  vnburely,  on  bak  thay  him  hynt : 
As  he  gat  ben  throw, 
He  gat  mony  greit  schow, 
Bot  he  was  stalwart,  I  trow, 
And  laith  for  to  stynt. 

He  thristit  in  throw  thame,  and  thraly  can  thring, 
Fast  to  the  formest  he  foundit  in  feir ; 

Sone  besyde  him  he  gat  ane  sicht  of  the  nobill  King. 
"  ^one  is  Wymond,  I  wait,  it  worthis  na  weir. 

I  ken  him  weill,  thocht  he  be  cled  in  vther  clething, 
In  clais  of  clene  gold,  kythand  ^one  cleir. 

Quhen  he  harbreit  with  me,  be  half  as  he  is  heir. 
In  faith,  he  is  of  mair  stait  than  euer  he  me  tald. 
Allace  that  I  was  bidder  wylit ! 
I  dreid  me  sair  I  be  begylit." 
The  King  preuilie  smylit, 
Quhen  he  saw  that  bald. 

Thair  was  seruit  in  that  saill  seigis  semelie, 

Mony  sen^eorabill  syre  on  ilk  syde  seir ; 
With  ane  cairfull  countenance  the  Coil^ear  kest  his  e 

To  the  cumly  Quene,  courtes  and  cleir. 
"  Dame,  of  thy  glitterand  gyde  haue  I  na  gle, 

Be  the  gracious  God  that  bocht  vs  sa  deir. 
To  ken  kingis  courtasie,  the  deuill  come  to  me, 

And  sa  I  hope  I  may  say  or  I  chaip  heir. 
Micht  I  chaip  of  this  chance,  that  changis  my  cheir, 


700 


705 


no 


7:o 


96  The  TaiU  of  Rauf  Coti$ear. 

Thair  suld  na  man  be  sa  wyse, 
To  gar  me  cum  to  Parise, 
To  luke  quhair  the  King  lyis, 

In  faith  this  seuin  ^eir  ! "  725 

Quhen  worthie  had  weschin,  and  fra  the  buirdis  went, 

Thay  war  for-wonderit,  i-wis,  of  thair  wyse  lord. 
The  King  fell  in  carping,  and  tauld  his  intent, 
To  mony  gracious  grome  he  maid  his  record ; 
How  the  busteous  beirne  met  him  on  the  bent,  730 

And  how  the  frostis  war  sa  fell,  and  sa  strait  ford. 
Than  the  Coil^ear  quoke  as  he  had  bene  schent, 

Quhen  he  hard  the  suith  say  how  he  the  King  schord. 
"  Greit  God  !  gif  I  war  now,  and  thy  self  with  all, 

Vpon  the  mure  quhair  we  met,  735 

Baith  all  suddandly  set, 
Or  any  knicht  that  thow  may  get, 
Sa  gude  in  thy  hall ! " 

Thir  lordis  leuch  vpon  loft,  and  lystinit  to  the  King, 

How  he  was  ludgeit  and  led,  and  set  at  sa  licht ;  7<o 

Than  the  curagious  knichtis  bad  haue  him  to  hing, 

"  For  he  has  seruit  that,"  thay  said,  "  be  our  sicht." 
"  God  forbot,"  he  said,  "  my  thank  war  sic  thing 

To  him  that  succourit  my  lyfe  in  sa  euill  ane  nicht ! 
Him  semis  ane  stalwart  man  and  stout  in  stryking :  745 

That  carll  for  his  courtasie  salbe  maid  knicht. 
I  hald  the  counsall  full  euill  that  Christin  man  slais, 
For  I  had  myster  to  haue  ma, 
And  not  to  distroy  tha 

That  war  worthie  to  ga  7so 

To  fecht  on  Goddis  fais." 


The  Taill  of  Rauf  Coifyar.  97 

Befoir  mony  worthie  he  dubbit  him  knicht, 
Dukis  and  digrie  lordis  in  that  deir  hall : 
"  Sehir,  se  for  thy  self,  thow  semis  to  be  wicht, 

Tak  keip  to  this  ordour,  ane  knicht  I  the  call ;  755 

To  mak  the  manly  man  I  mak  the  of  micht. 

Ilk  ^eir  thre  hundreth  pund  assigne  the  I  sail ; 
And  als  the  nixt  vacant,  be  ressonabill  richt, 

That  hapnis  in  France,  quhair  sa  euer  it  fall ; 
Forfaltour  or  fre  waird,  that  first  eummis  to  hand,  750 

I  gif  the  heir  heritabilly, 
Sa  that  I  heir,  quhen  I  hane  hy, 
That  thow  be  fundiu  reddy 
With  birny  and  brand. 

It  war  my  will,  worthy,  thy  schone  that  thow  wan,  765 

And  went  with  thir  weryouris  wythest  in  weir ; 
Heir  ar  curagious  knichtis,  suppois  thay  the  nocht  ken, 

For  thy  simpill  degre  that  thow  art  in  heir. 
I  beseik  God  of  his  grace  to  mak  the  ane  gude  man, 

And  I  sail  gif  the  to  begin  glitterand  geir."  770 

Ane  chalmer  with  armour  the  King  gart  richt  than 

Betaucht  to  ane  squyar,  and  maid  him  keipeir ; 
With  clois  armouris  of  steill  for  that  stout  knicht, 
Sextie  squyaris  of  fee, 

Of  his  retinew  to  be ;  775 

That  was  ane  fair  cumpany 
Schir  Rauf  gat  that  nicht. 

Vpon  the  morne  airly  Schir  Rauf  wald  not  rest, 

Bot  in  ryall  array  he  reddyit  him  to  ryde : 
"  For  to  hald  that  I  haue  hecht,  I  hope  it  be  the  best,          7so 


98  The  Taill  of  Rauf  Coil^ear. 

To  ^one  busteous  beirne  that  boistit  me  to  byde. 
Amang  thir  gal^art  gromis  I  am  bot  ane  gest ; 
I  will  the  ganandest  gait  to  that  gay  glyde : 
Sail  neuer  lord  lauch  on  loft,  quhill  my  lyfe  may  lest, 

That  I  for  liddernes  suld  leif,  and  leuand  besyde.  786 

It  war  ane  graceles  gude  that  I  war  cummin  to, 
Gif  that  the  King  hard  on  hicht 
That  he  had  maid  ane  carll  knicht 
Amang  thir  weryouris  wicht, 

And  docht  nocht  to  do."  790 

Vpon  ane  rude  runsy  he  ruschit  out  of  toun, 

In  ane  ryall  array  he  rydis  full  richt ; 
Euin  to  the  montane  he  maid  him  full  boun, 

Quhair  he  had  trystit  to  meit  Schir  Holland  the  knicht ; 
Derfly  ouir  daillis  discouerand  the  doun,  795 

Gif  ony  douchtie  that  day  for  iornayis  was  dicht. 
He  band  his  blonk  to  ane  busk  on  the  bent  broun, 

Syne  baid  be  the  bair  way  to  hald  that  he  had  hecht, 
Quhill  it  was  neir  time  of  the  day  that  he  had  thair  bene ; 

He  lukit  ane  lytill  him  fra,  aoo 

He  sa  cummand  in  thra 
The  maist  man  of  all  tha 
That  euer  he  had  sene. 

Ane  knicht  on  ane  cameill  come  cantly  at  hand, 

With  ane  curagious  countenance  and  cruell  to  se.  aos 

He  semit  baldly  to  abyde  with  birny  and  with  brand, 
His  blonk  was  vnburely,  braid  and  ouir  hie. 

Schir  Rauf  reddyit  him  sone,  and  come  rydand, 
And  in  the  rowme  of  ane  renk  in  fewtir  kest  he  : 


The  Taill  of  Rauf  Coiljear.  99 

He  seimit  fer  fellonar  than  first  quhen  he  him  fand,  sio 

He  foundis  throw  his  forcenes  gif  he  micht  him  se ; 
He  straik  the  steid  with  the  spurris,  he  sprent  on  the  bent. 
Sa  hard  ane  cours  maid  thay, 
That  baith  their  hors  deid  lay  ; 
Thair  speiris  in  splenders  away  sis 

Abufe  than*  heid  sprent. 

Thus  war  thay  for  thair  forcynes  left  on  fute  baith, 

Thay  sture  hors  at  that  straik  strikin  deid  lay  than. 
Thir  riche  restles  renkis  ruschit  out  full  raith, 

Cleikit  out  twa  swordis  and  togidder  ran,  820 

Kest  thame  with  gude  will  to  do  vther  skaith, 

Baft  on  thair  basnetis  thay  beirnis  or  thay  blan. 
Haistely  hewit  thay  togiddir,  to  leif  thay  war  laith, 
To  tyne  the  worschip  of  weir  that  thay  air  wan ; 
Na  for  dout  of  vincussing  thay  went  nocht  away.  325 

Thus  ather  vther  can  assaill 
With  swordis  of  mettaill ; 
Thay  maid  ane  lang  battaill 
Ane  hour  of  the  day. 


Thay  hard  harnest  men,  they  hewit  on  in  haist,  sso 

Thay  worthit  heuy  with  heit,  and  angerit  with  all, 
Quhill  thay  had  maid  thame  sa  mait,  thay  faille  almaist, 

Sa  laith  thay  war  on  ather  part  to  lat  thair  price  fall : 
The  riche  restles  men  out  of  the  renk  past, 

Forwrocht  with  thair  wapnis,  and  euill  rent  with  all.        sss 
Thair  was  na  girth  on  the  ground,  quhill  ane  gaif  the  gaist ; 

"  ^arne  efter  ^eilding  ! "    on  ilk  syde  thay  call. 
Schir  Rauf  caucht  to  cule  him,  and  tak  mair  of  the  licht : 


100  The  Taitt  of  Rauf  Coifyear. 

He  kest  vp  his  veseir, 

With  ane  cheualrous  cheir,  s*o 

Sa  saw  he  cummand  full  neir 

Ane  vther  kene  knicht.  s 

"  Now  be  the  Rude,"  said  Schir  Rauf,  "  I  repreif  the  ! 

Thow  hes  brokin  conditioun,  thow  hes  not  done  richt : 
Thow  hecht  na  bak  heir  to  bring,  bot  anerly  we ;  84» 

Thairto  I  tuik  thy  hand,  as  thow  was  trew  knicht." 
On  loud  said  the  Sara^ine  :  "  I  heir  the  now  lie  ! 

Befoir  the  same  day  I  saw  the  neuer  with  sicht ; 
Now  sail  thow  think  it  richt  sone,  thow  hes  met  with  me, 

Gif  Mahoun  or  Termagant  may  mantene  my  micht."        sso 
Schir  Rauf  was  blyth  of  that  word  and  blenkit  with  his  face  : 
"  Thow  sayis  thow  art  ane  Sara^ine : 
Now  thankit  be  Drichtine, 
That  ane  of  vs  sail  neuer  hine 

Vndeid  in  this  place."  sss 

Than  said  the  Sara^ine  to  Schir  Rauf  succudrously  : 

"  I  haue  na  lyking  to  lyfe  to  lat  the  with  lufe." 
He  gaue  ane  braid  with  his  brand  to  the  beirne  by, 

Till  the  blude  of  his  browis  brest  out  abufe. 
The  kene  knicht  in  that  steid  stakkerit  sturely ;  s«o 

The  lenth  of  ane  rude  braid  he  gart  him  remufe  : 
Schir  Rauf  ruschit  vp  agane  and  hit  him  in  hy  : 
Thay  preis  furth  properly  thair  pithis  to  prufe. 
Ilk  ane  a  schort  knyfe  braidit  out  sone ; 

In  stour  stifly  thay  stand  86& 

With  twa  knyfis  in  hand ; 
With  that  come  Schir  Holland, 
As  thay  had  neir  done. 


The  Taill  of  Eauf  Caityar.  101 

The  gentill  knicht  Schir  Holland  come  rydand  full  richt, 

And  ruschit  fra  his  runsy,  and  ran  thame  betwene ;  sro 

He  sayis :  "  Thow  art  ane  Sara^ine,  I  se  be  my  sicht, 

For  to  confound  our  Cristin  men  that  counteris  sa  kene : 
Tell  me  thy  name  tyte,  thow  trauelland  knicht ! 

Fy  on  thy  fechting  !    fell  hes  thow  bene. 
Thow  art  stout  and  strang,  and  stalwart  in  fecht,  975 

Sa  is  thy  fallow  in  faith,  and  that  is  weill  sene  : 
In  Christ  and  thow  will  trow,  thow  takis  nane  outray." 
"  Forsuith,"  the  Sara^ine  said, 
"  Thy  self  maid  me  neuer  sa  aifraid, 
That  I  for  souerance  wald  haue  praid,        sso 
!N"a  not  sail  to  day. 

Breif  me  not  with  ^our  boist,  bot  mak  }ow  baith  boun ; 

Battens  on  baldly  the  best,  I  ^ow  pray." 
"  Na,"  said  Schir  Holland,  "  that  war  na  resoun ; 

I  trow  in  the  mekle  God  that  maist  of  michtis  may,          ass 
The  tane  is  in  power  to  mak  that  presoun, 

For  that  war  na  wassalage,  sum  men  wald  say. 
I  rid  that  thow  hartfully  forsaik  thy  Mahoun  : 

Fy  on  that  foull  feind  !  for  fals  is  thy  fay. 
Becum  Cristin,  Schir  Knicht,  and  on  Christ  call.  8*> 

It  is  my  will  thow  conuert : 
This  wickit  warld  is  bot  ane  start ; 
And  haue  him  halely  in  hart 
That  maker  is  of  all." 

"  Schir  Holland,  I  rek  nocht  of  thy  rauingis,  we 

Thow  dois  bot  reuerence  to  thame  that  rekkis  it  nocht : 
Thow  slane  hes  oft,  thy  self,  of  my  counsingis, 


102  The  Taill  of  Rauf  CoUjear. 

Soudanis  and  sib  men,  that  the  with  schame  socht ; 
Now  faindis  to  haue  fauour  with  thy  fleichingis. 

Now  haue  I  ferlie,  gif  I  fauour  the  ocht.  «oo 

We  sail  spuil^e  ^ow  dispittously  at  the  nixt  springis, 

Mak  ^ow  biggings  full  bair,  bod  word  haue  I  brocht. 
Chace  Charlis  }our  King  fer  out  of  France. 
Fra  the  Chane  of  Tartarie, 
At  him  this  message  wald  I  be,  sos 

To  tell  him  as  I  haue  tauld  the, 
Withoutin  plesance." 

"  Tyte  tell  me  thy  name,  it  seruis  of  nocht ; 

}e  Sara^eins  ar  succuderus  and  self  willit  ay  : 
Sail  neuer  of  sa  sour  ane  brand  ane  bricht  fyre  be  brocht,    910 

The  Feynd  is  sa  felloun  als  fer  as  he  may." 
"  Sa  thriue  I,"  said  the  Sara^ine,  "  to  threip  is  my  thocht ; 
Quha  waitis  the  Cristin  with  cair,  my  cusingis  ar  thay. 
My  name  is  Magog,  in  will,  and  I  mocht, 

To  ding  thame  doun  dourly  that  euer  war  in  my  way  :      915 
For  thy  my  warysoun  is  full  gude  at  hame  quhair  I  dwel." 
"  In  faith,"  said  Schir  Holland, 
"  That  is  full  euill  wyn,  land 
To  haue  quhill  thow  ar  leuand, 

Sine  at  thine  end  hell.  920 

Wald  thow  conuert  the  in  hy,  and  couer  the  of  sin, 
Thow  suld-  haue  mair  profite  and  mekle  pardoun. 

Riche  douchereis  seir  to  be  sesit  in, 

During  quhill  day  dawis,  that  neuer  will  gang  doun. 

Wed  ane  worthie  to  wyfe,  and  weild  hir  with  win,  925 

Ane  of  the  riche  of  our  realme,  be  that  ressoun ; 


The  Taill  of  Eauf  Caityar.  103 

The  gentill  Duches,  Dame  lane,  that  clamis  be  hir  kin 

Angeos  and  vther  landis,  with  mony  riche  toun. 
Thus  may  thow,  and  thow  will,  wirk  the  best  wise. 

I  do  the  out  of  dispair,  930 

In  all  France  is  nane  sa  fair 
Als  scho  is,  appeirand  air 
To  twa  douchereis." 

"  I  rek  nocht  of  thy  riches,  Schir  Holland  the  knicht," 

Said  the  rude  Sara^ine  in  ryall  array ;  935 

"  Thy  gold  nor  thy  grassum  set  I  bot  licht ; 

Bot  gif  thy  God  be  sa  gude  as  I  heir  the  say, 
I  will  forsaik  Mahoun  and  tak  me  to  his  micht, 
Euir  mair  perpetuallie,  as  he  that  mair  may. 
Heir  with  hart  and  gude  will  my  treuth  I  the  plicht,  »*) 

That  I  sail  lelely  leif  on  thy  Lord  ay, 
And  I  beseik  him  of  grace,  and  askis  him  mercy, 
And  Christ  his  Sone  full  schene ; 
For  I  haue  Cristin  men  sene, 
That  in  mony  angeris  hes  bene,  945 

Full  oft  on  him  cry." 

"  I  thank  God,"  said  Holland,  "  that  word  lykis  me, 

And  Christ  his  sweit  Sone,  that  the  that  grace  send." 
Thay  swoir  on  thair  swordis  swyftlie  all  thre, 

And  conseruit  thame  freindis  to  thair  lyfis  end,  seo 

Euir  in  all  trauell  to  leif  and  to  die. 

Thay  knichtis  caryit  to  the  Court,  as  Christ  had  thame  kend. 
The  King  for  thair  cumming  maid  game  and  gle, 

With  mony  mirthfull  man  thair  mirthis  to  mend. 
Digne  bischoppis  that  day  that  doucntie  gart  bring,  955 


104  The  Taitt  of  Rauf  Coiljear. 

And  gaue  him  sacramentis  seir, 
And  callit  him  Schir  Gawteir, 
And  sine  the  Duohes  cleir 
He  weddit  with  ane  ring. 

Than  Schir  Rauf  gat  rewaird  to  keip  his  knichtheid  : 

Sic  tythingis  come  to  the  King  within  thay  nyne  nicht, 
That  the  Marschell  of  France  was  newlingis  deid  : 

Richt  thair,  with  the  counsall  of  rnony  kene  knicht, 
He  thocht  him  richt  worthie  to  byde  in  his  steid, 
For  to  weild  that  worschip  worthie  and  wicht. 
His  wyfe  wald  he  nocht  forget,  for  dout  of  Goddis  feid. 

He  send  after  that  hende,  to  leif  thame  in  richt ; 
Syne  foundit  ane  fair  place  quhair  he  met  the  King, 
Euir  mair  perpetually, 
In  the  name  of  Sanct  luly, 
That  all  that  wantis  harbery, 
Suld  haue  gestnmg. 


FINIS. 


Imprentit  at  Sanctandrois  be  Robert  Lekpreuik.     Anno  1572. 


NOTES. 

LIKE. 

2.  flan.     Storm,  tempest,  ON.  flan.     The  word  does  not 
seem  to  occur  elsewhere  in  Early  Scottish. 

4.  Sanct  Thomas.     Thomas  &  Beket,  archbishop  of  Can- 

terbury, assassinated  A.  D.  1170.  His  tomb  at 
Canterbury  was  much  resorted  to  by  pilgrims. 
The  anachronism  involved  in  making  Charlemagne 
return  from  this  pilgrimage,  did  not  trouble  our  poet. 

5.  pane.     Apparel,    attire,   fr.  Lat.  pannus.      "He    }af 

him  robe  of  palle,  And  pane  of  riche  skinne." 
Tristrem,  568.  Analogous  phrases  frequent  in  the 
metrical  romances  are  "prowdeste  in  palle,"  AA. 
66,  and  "  wlonkeste  in  wedys,"  AA.  9.  The  word 
was  applied  to  gores  of  gay  stuffs  set  into  garments  : 
— "in  a  pair  of  paned  slops,"  Jonson,  Cynthia's 
Revels,  iv.  1 ;  and  hence  to  the  quarrels  of  glass  set 
in  windows. 

10.  duchepeiris.    The  douze  pairs  or  paladins,  Charlemagne's 

famous  band  of  twelve  great  barons.  The  term  was 
sometimes  applied  to  any  high  nobles,  as  "  Wyth 
duke}  and  dusperes  of  dyuers  rewmes."  MA.  66. 
Arthur  rides  "  Withe  dukes  and  with  ducheperes." 
AA.  4. 

11.  bacheleii-is.     Knights    bachelors,   the   lowest   grade  of 

knighthood. 

13.   of  toum.     It  is  not  quite  clear  whether  this  adventure 
befell  before  or  after  the  King's  return  to  Paris. 

105 


106  The  Taitt  of  Rauf  CaU$ear. 

LINE. 

14.  that  ryaJl.  That  royal  one.  This  substantive  use  of 
the  adjective  is  common  in  the  early  Scottish  poetry. 
"  Quhen  the  pur  present  him  had,"  i.  e.  "  when  the 
poor  creature  had  presented  himself/'  H.  92.  So  in 
11.  170,  458,  712  of  our  text  we  have  "gude"  = 
good  men ;  "  that  tenefull "  =  that  wrathful  one ; " 
"  that  bald  "  =  that  bold  one. 

17.  deip.  Apparently  an  error.  Laing  would  amend  to 
"  drift ; "  but  "  drift "  does  not  occur  in  Early 
Scottish. 

20.  pure.  Sometimes  used  for  "  noble,"  "  eminent."  "  The 
pacock,  preciouss  and  pure,"  H.  81. 

22.  mer.     Wander,  go  astray.     "  It  made  them  for  to  mer 

amiss,"  Douglas,  Kyng  Hart,  114. 

23.  pryme.     The  end  of  the  first  quarter  of  the  day.     If 

reckoned  from  sunrise,  at  Yule,  about  10  a.  m. 

28.   that.     That  which ;  i.  e.  whatever  (or  whosoever). 

33.  cachit.  Wandered,  travelled,  went.  "Our  land  and 
see  cachit  with  mekle  pyne."  Douglas,  Aen.  i.  1. 

35.  i-wis.  Indeed,  truly,  from  OE.  gewiss.  In  the  original 
it  is  uniformly  printed  "  I-wis,"  as  if  a  verb. 

40.  it  niohtit  him.  It  became  night  to  him,  i.  e.  night  over- 
took him.  "  At  ane  ailhous  ...  it  nyghttit  thaim 
thair,"  Dunbar,  Kynd  Kittok,  15. 

45.  the  rude  lufe.  An  uninflected  genitive.  So  we  have 
"J?e  pilgrame  ansuer."  Leg.  de  St.  Andrea,  1068. 
In  "husband  weid,"  1.  593,  "waithman  weid," 
Dunbar,  Fen^eit  Freir,  we  may  regard  the  noun  as 
used  adjectively,  as  in  modern  "  sailor  talk,"  "  soldier 
clothes."  Our  language  still  retains  this  freedom  of 
combination,  as  "  law  business,"  "  railroad  interests." 


The  Taill  of  Rauf  Coifyar.  107 

LINE. 

46.  Rauf.  Ralph,  or  Radulphus.  OE.  hrced  wulf,  "  swift 
wolf." 

49.  hine  etc.     Hence  over  seven  miles,  i.  e.  more  than  seven 

miles  from  here. 

50.  Iddis  instead  of  leid.     This  form  occurs  when  the  verb 

is  separated  from  the  personal  pronoun,  as  "  I  beseik 
....  and  askis,"  1.  942.  Or  when  the  relative 
intervenes,  as,  "  How  salle  we  fare  that  fowndis." 
AA.  261. 

55.  traist  etc.  The  meaning  seems  to  be :  "  Believe  it  or 
not,  as  you  will :  if  I  am  not  a  good  fellow,  it  will 
be  partly  your  own  fault."  To  which  the  King 
answers  that  it  would  be  great  folly  on  his  part  to 
do  anything  to  breed  unfriendliness. 

60.  fechtine  for  fechting.     This  phonetic  degradation  is  very 

common  in  the  late  vernacular  Scotch.  "Comes 
hostin',  hirplin'  owre  the  field  Wi'  creepin'  pace." 
Burns,  Ep.  to  James  Smith. 

61.  nait.     Need,  necessity.     OE.  nead,  JSTth.  ned.     It  also 

signifies  use,  purpose.  "  A  wappin  was  neuir  wrocht 
for  sic  a  nate,"  Douglas,  Aen.  iv.  12.  Cf.  Towneley 
Plays,  xxiii. 

63.  Sanct  July.  Saint  Julian,  the  patron  saint  of  travellers. 
His  death  is  said  to  have  occurred  in  A.  D.  370. 
According  to  the  life  given  in  the  Scottish  Legends 
of  Saints  (14th  century)  Julian  killed  both  his 
parents  by  an  unhappy  mistake,  and  in  remorse 
devoted  himself  to  a  religious  life.  As  a  penance, 
he  founded  a  hostelry  for  travellers  on  the  bank  of 
a  dangerous  river,  and  ferried  over  all  who  wished 
to  cross.  One  winter  night  he  was  summoned  by 


108  The  Tatil  of  Rauf  Coityar. 

LINE. 

a  sick  and  leprous  child,  whom,  out  of  pity,  he  took 
to  his  house  and  cherished  in  his  own  bed.  At 
daybreak  the  child  revealed  himself  as  an  angel, 
told  Julian  that  his  penance  had  redeemed  his  sin, 
and  promised  him  that  thenceforth  all  who  sought 
harbourage  in  his  name,  should  find  it.  The  opening 
of  the  legend  is  interesting : — 

"  Qwene  J>at  junge  mane  I  was, 
I  trawalyt  oft  in  sere  place  .  .   . 
pe  trawalouris  )>ane  custume  had, 
pat  al  day  jed  ore  rad, 
And  for  trawale  ware  wery, 
Quhene  J>ai  come  til  J>ar  herbry, 
And  namely  fra  J>ai  mycht  it  se, 
Hat  or  hud  tak  of,  ore  clath, 
pe  rycht  fut  of  the  sterape  rath, 
And  to  sancte  lulyane  dewotly 
A  pater  noster  say  in  hy, 
In  hope  bat  al  gud  herbry  suld  haf, 
pat  in  sik  wyse  it  suld  crafe." 

L.  S.  u,  458. 

67.  me  think.  A  confusion  between  " I  think"  (OJZ.pencari) 
and  "  me  thinks  "  (OE.  pincari)  "  it  seems  to  me." 
So  in  1.  60  we  have  "thow  byrd,"  where  strict 
grammar  would  require  "the  byrd."  In  1.  176  we 
have  the  proper  form  with  the  dative  :  "him  thocht." 
The  usage  is  not  uncommon ;  e.  g. :  "  me  think  it 
grete  skill,"  GG.  147 ;  "  ful  pouer  me  thine  the." 
Eng.  Met.  Horn.  p.  140 ;  "  me  think  $ow  deif  and 
dum."  Lyndsay,  Thrie  Estaitis.  In  the  Cuckoo 
and  Nightingale  (1.  117)  we  have  the  full  form  :  "  It 
thinketh  me  I  singe  as  wel  as  thou." 


The  Taitt  of  Ran/  Coifyar.  109 

LINE. 

80.  ruse.  The  E.  E.  T.  changes  to  rufe  and  behufe,  but  the 
rime  forbids  this.  To  ruse  is  to  boast  of,  to  admire 
(cf.  1/481).  Rauf  says  that  as  yet  the  King  has 
had  nothing  from  him  to  boast  of,  or  be  thankful  for. 
"And  haif  few  vertewis  for  to  russ."  Dunbar, 
xvii,  37.  "  111  men  ....  roysys  thaim  of  thaire 
syn."  Hampole,  Psalter,  xciii,  3. 

82.  eismentis.  Comforts.  "  )?at  night  he  had  ful  nobil  rest, 
With  alkins  esment  of  ]?e  best."  Ywain,  3383. 

82.  behuse.    Needs,  behoofs.    Contracted  from  behuiffis.    We 

find  behuifis  and  behuse  riming  with  excuse  in  Clari- 
odus  iv,  1356,  2506.  The  verb  buse — a  further 
contraction  of  behuifis — occurs  in  AA.  315:  "me 
buse  wende  one  my  waye."  See  also  Ywain,  1085, 
1185. 

83.  help.     Possibly  an  error  for  keip.     We  still  use  "  keep 

the  house"  for  "stay  in-doors."  To  keep  the 
harberie  would  then  mean  to  be  sheltered  in  it. 

84.  micht  .  .  .  excuse.     Might  with  reason  be  excused  for 

praising  the  lodging  and  entertainment  after  they 
had  tried  them. 

86.  pryse.  A  proverbial  phrase.  "  Praise  in  departing." 
Tempest,  iii,  3. 

86.  how  that  thow  dois.     According  as  thou  farest  (or  hast 

fared). 

87.  lak.     Blame,  find  fault  with.     "Nor  na  man  will   I 

lakkin  or  despyse."  Douglas,  Aen.  i,  Prol.  "  To 
loure  on  my  neighbore  and  to  lakke  his  chaffare." 
Piers  Ploivman  (B)  v,  160. 

87.  Peter  !  By  Saint  Peter.  "  }e,  Peter  !  quoth  J>e  porter." 
G.  813.  "Peter!  it  am  I."  Chaucer,  Shipmannes 
Tale,  214. 


110  The  Taitt  of  Rauf  CW/jear. 

LINE. 

96.  ch.eueris  with  the  chin.  Shiver  with  the  chin,  have  the 
teeth  chattering  with  cold.  "  His  teith  chatterit  and 
cheverit  with  the  chin."  Heuryson,  Testament  of 
Oriseide,  156. 

98.  glaid.  Laiug  and  E.  E.  T.  both  insert  "  was,"  but  it  is 
the  pret.  of  glyde,  as  in  1.  482. 

98.  gle.     Usually  mirth,  entertainment.     Here  apparently 

equivalent  to  hospitable  reception. 

99.  sit.     Resist,  withstand.     "He  durst  not  sit  anys  my 

summoudis."  Dunbar,  Two,  Mariit  Wemen,  319. 
"  Pharaoh  sits  that  process."  Donne,  Serm.  cl.  It 
is  a  contracted  form  of  asit,  OE.  cetsittan.  "  Non 
his  dent  asit  might."  Arth.  and  Merlin,  8150. 

108.  fame.     Fared.     Strong  p.  part,  of  fair. 

109.  rufe.     This  word  as  an  adjective  does  not  seem  to  occur 

elsewhere.     OE.  rof,  fierce,  bold. 

111.  knap.  Snatch,  pluck,  pull  (from  the  perch).  "Thow 
can  knap  doun  caponis  on  the  nicht."  Henryson, 
The  Wolf,  the  Fox,  and  the  Cadgear,  17. 

120.  begouth.     A  Scottish  form  of  "began,"  apparently  by 

analogy  with  can,  couth. 

121.  maid  him   to  mene.     Made  himself  to  attempt,  i.  e., 

made  an  attempt.  For  mene  cf.  G.  1157.  "per 
schulde  no  man  mene  to  )>e  male  dere." 
126.  kynd  aucht  to  creip.  A  proverbial  phrase  signifying 
"  Nature  (or  breeding)  ought  to  show  itself."  In 
the  Towneley  Mysteries  (Pastores)  we  have  "  kynde 
will  crepe  where  it  may  not  go ; "  i.  e.  nature  will 
creep  where  it  cannot  walk.  The  phrase  occurs  also 
in  Everyman,  316.  Rauf  says  that  this  is  an  occasion 
on  which  the  King's  breeding,  or  natural  sense  of 


The  Tcutt  of  Rauf  CM^ear.  Ill 

LUTE. 

propriety,  ought  to  show  itself,  or  otherwise  he  is 
ignorant  (of  good  manners).  C£  the  Dutch  proverb : 
"  Blood  will  creep  where  it  cannot  walk." 

127.  vnknaurin.     Ignorant,  untaught.     "Vnknawin  .... 

quhat  was  best  to  doon."  Kingis  Quair,  45.  We 
have  knatcin  "acquainted"  hi  11.  254,  532.  A 
similar  misuse,  though  sanctioned  by  custom,  occurs 
in  the  modern  "  he  is  mistaken,"  for  "  he  mistakes." 

128.  lord  of  my  avrin.    Kauf  is  already  lord  of  his  own 

house,  and  it  is  for  him,  not  the  King,  to  do  the 
honours  of  reception.  So  in  GG.  147  Gawane  will 
not  venture  to  prescribe  any  rules  of  hospitality  to 
the  lord  of  the  castle,  saying,  "  To  mak  you  lord  of 
your  avne,  me  think  it  grete  skill."  See  11. 166, 167. 

133.  Gryliane.  Gillian,  or  Juliana.  So  "  Saynt  Gilyan  "  for 
Saint  Julian,  G  774. 

135.   Two  lines  wanting  in  original. 

141.  grcdd.  Made  ready,  prepared.  Contracted  form  of 
gratthit. 

145.  begin  the  buird.  Take  the  highest  place  at  table,  and 
be  seated  first.  "  Bischop  Baudewyn  abof  bi-gene^ 
|>e  table,"  G.  112.  "  Then  sayd  thei  all,  at  a  word, 
That  cokwolds  schuld  begyne  the  bord,  And  sytt 
hyest  in  the  halle."  Cokwolds  Daunce,  199.  "Sith 
thou  hast  taken  this  estate  ....  Thou  must  begin 
the  bord."  John  the  Reeve,  iii,  268.  "He  mot 
bygynne  J?at  borde,"  P.  Plowman*  Crede,  557. 
"Ful  ofte  tyme  he  hadde  the  bord  bigonne." 
Chaucer,  Prof.  52. 

153.  faind.  A  somewhat  rare  word,  meaning  to  stop,  halt. 
"  They  fayne  never  are  they  falle  at  ]?e  flode  merkes," 


112  The  Taitt  of  Rauf  Cottyar. 

LINE. 

MA.  1147.  "Fenyhe  the  nowcht  to  fulfille  thi 
heycht,"  Wyntoun,  CronykU,  vii,  72.  "  Feyne  }ow 
noghte  feyntly."  MA.  1734.  "  Quhen  thai  saw  the 
nobill  King  Cum  stoutly  on  forowtyn  fencing." 
Barbour  (E)  ix,  255.  The  meaning  in  the  text 
seems  to  be,  he  did  not  stop  from  a  fall  (did  not 
recover  himself  from  falling)  until  he  found  (himself 
on)  the  earth.  Perhaps  faynding  has  a  similar 
meaning  in  Barbour,  Bruce,  iii,  289  :  "  quha  tais 
purpos  sekyrly,  And  folio wis  it  ....  For-owt 
fayntice,  or  yheit  faynding,  He  sail  eschew  it  in 
party."  That  is  :  "  whoever  takes  a  firm  purpose, 
and  follows  it  without  weakness  or  cessation,  he 
shall  achieve  it  [at  least]  in  part." 

156.  anger.  Pain,  suffering,  affliction,  distress.  "Thirangrys 
may  I  na  mar  drey."  Barbour,  Bruce,  iii,  321. 
" In  nane  anger  sal  }e  be."  Ywain,  1529.  "The 
angyr  na  the  wrechit  dome."  Bruce,  i,  235. 
"  Angers  and  yuels  may  hym  appayre."  Hampole, 
P.  C.  691.  See  1.  945. 

160.  thmo  byrd.  See  note  to  1.  67.  We  find  the  more  accu- 
rate form  in  earlier  texts : 

"  In  hart  b.af  I  sa  mekil  wa, 

pat  my-self  me  byrd  to  sla."     LS.  ii,  468. 
"  pe  burde  fyrst  aske  leue."     Pearl,  316. 

170.  gude.     Good  men.     See  note  to  1. 14. 

174.  foundis.     Goes.     "  How  salle  we  fare  ....  j>at  fown- 

distofyghte?"   AA.  261. 

175.  braithlie.     Violently.     "The  wagande  wynde  .... 

brethly  bessomes  with  byrre."  (The  rushing  wind 
violently  sweeps  with  noise)  MA.  3661.  "A  ... 


The  Taill  of  Rauf  Coil^ear.  113 

LINE. 

spere  tille  his  hert  brathely  was  borne."     Quatrefoil 

of  Love,  201. 
175.   beird.    Stormed,  vociferated.    From  beir,  noise.    "Land- 

brist  rumland  ....  with  sic  beir."    Douglas,  Aen. 

vii,  prol.  21. 
184.   but  mair.     Without  more.     No  other  company  was 

present. 
186.   went  upon  hicht.     Literally,  "went  on  high."     The 

meaning  seems  to  be,  "  went  joyously  round." 
188.   byrnand.     Here   equal   to   "illuminated,"    "lit   up," 

"  blazing  with  light." 
193.   dois  glaidlie.     Be  merry.     "  Sytt  downe  and  do  gladly." 

Wright's  Chaste  Wife,  24.     "  Do  gladly,  Sir  Knight, 

sayde  Robyn."     Geste  of  Robyn  Hood,  34. 

209.  baldn  in  breid.     Baked  in  pastry.     "  Birdes  bakene  in 

brede."     AA.  485. 

210.  fusioun.     Abundance,  plenty.     "  Of  alle  manere  fusoun 

ynou^  |?ey  hadde."     Libeaus  Desconus,  112. 

212.  raik.  Pass,  go  round.  "  Lo,  quhair  thay  raik  on  rawe." 
Henryson,  Robene  and  Makyne. 

215.  dreichlie.  Steadily,  regularly.  "  Drawene  dreghely  the 
wyne  and  drynkyne  thereaftyre."  MA.  2028. 
"  Dre^ly  alle  a  longe  day."  Clannesse,  476.  Dreghe, 
is  endurance,  continuance.  "Thus  they  dreuene 
....  alle  the  dreghe  of  the  daye."  MA.  2915. 
OE.  dreogan. 

223.  countenance.  Demeanour,  behaviour.  "Be  nocht  in 
countenance  ane  skornar,  nor  by  luke."  Dunbar, 
To  dwell  in  Court,  35.  "  The  countenance  and  the 
maneres  of  alle  the  folk."  Chaucer,  R.  R.,  814. 

227.  maist  wynning.  Principal  dwelling,  chief  abode.  Cf. 
8 


114  The  Taill  of  Rauf  Coiljear. 

LINE. 

"And  where,  quod   I,  is    your   most    abydiug?" 

Assembly  of  Ladies,  264. 
228.   wayndit.     Hesitated.     "To   cut  his  throit  ....  he 

wayndyt  nocht."     W.  i,  198.     I  sail  waynd  for  no 

wye  to  wirk  as  ^e  will."     H.  458.     OE.  wandian. 
230.    office  maist.     Highest  office. 
237.  for  my  dwelling.     On  account  of  my  dwelling  with  you 

(and  consequent  absence  from  the  Court). 

239.  Wymond.      OE.  wigmund,   "guardian    of   battle,"   or 

"  protector  of  warriors."  Wymond  is  the  name  of 
the  third  soldier  in  York  Mysteries,  xxxiv. 

240.  thi  harberie  is  tane.     Thy  lodging  is  secured. 
244.    onwart.     Part  payment,  advance,  but  here  profit. 

248.  on  ilk  syde.    The  truth  on  each  side,  i.  e.  the  whole  truth. 

249.  that.     Demonstrative.     Thou    shalt    know   that  well 

enough. 

259.  rid.  Here,  and  in  11.  284,  435,  888,  Tonndorf  alters 
to  red. 

262.  furth  gane.     Advanced. 

273.  sguyary.  Attendance  or  retinue  of  squires.  "And 
profferit  him  a  squyarie,  To  go  with  him  in  com- 
pany." Gray  Steill,  1189. 

276.  pauyot.     Not  found  elsewhere,  but  a  servant  of  some 

kind.  Jamieson  (Scot.  Diet.),  conjectures  pavisot,  or 
shield-bearer,  but  gives  no  instance.  Rauf  did  not 
need  such  an  attendant  to  carry  his  "  auld  buklair  " 
(1.  517).  Moreover,  a  pa  vise  was  not  a  shield,  but 
a  screen. 

277.  thocht  lang.     Grew  weary  or  impatient. 

278.  anent.     Near  to,  close  by.     "  A  wounde  ....  an-ende 

hys  hart."     Pearl,  1135. 


The  Taill  of  Eauf  Caityar.  115 

LINE. 

288.    that  wantis.     That  is  lacking  or  missing.       ^^— • 

309.  gif  the  mair.  Thou  wilt  nevermore  undertake  (give 
thyself)  to  tell  a  lie.  Rauf  means  that  Wymond 
will  certainly  not  dare  to  lie  to  him  after  the  correc- 
tion he  has  received. 

313.  bid  nocht  to  layne.  Offer  not  to  conceal.  "  If  ani  man 
my  name  J?e  frayne,  On  al  manere  luke  J>ou  yt 
layne."  Ywain,  2195.  "Why  layne  you  your 
name  from  me?"  Malory,  Mart  Darthur,  xviii,  13. 
"Layne  not  ]>e  so}>e,"  G.  1786.  Icel.  leyna.  It 
sometimes  means  to  refuse,  as,  "  Late  me  in ;  thar 
thou  noghte  layne."  Quatrefoil  of  Love,  253. 

316.  enchaip.  Another  form  of  eschaip.  Where  any  collier 
may  come  off  safely,  I  trust  to  succeed.  In  the 
Bruce  we  find  enohapin  for  eschaping  (C  MS.  vii,  75). 
The  Oxford  Dictionary  (following  Donaldson's  Sup- 
plement to  Jamieson)  supposes  it  a  form  of  encheap, 
"  trade,"  but  gives  no  proof  of  the  existence  of  such 
a  word,  nor  any  reference  for  enchaip  but  the  present 
passage.  This  epenthesis  of  n  was  not  uncommon. 
Cf.  encheif,  enchauf,  encroche,  from  OF.  achever, 
eschauffer,  acrocher. 

321.  chauffray.  Ware,  merchandise.  A  more  common  form 
is  chajfair.  "  Bot  thow  be  war,  thow  tynys  off  thi 
chaffair."  W.  vi,  460. 

327.  ma.  More  (in  number).  The  distinction  between  this 
word  and  mair  more  (in  quantity)  is  carefully  pre- 
served. So,  in  Southern  English,  the  distinction 
between  mo  and  more,  is  observed  from  Chaucer  and 
Maundevile  to  Shakespeare  and  Ben  Jonson. 


116  The  Taitt  of  Rauf  Coiljear. 

LINE. 

328.  war  wanderand.     Perhaps  an  ellipsis  of  the  relative : 

"  who  were  (or  had  been)  wandering." 

329.  sic  ten.     Ten  times  as  many  were  sent  out  toward  each 

point  of  the  compass.     Cf.  1.  440. 
340.   withoutin.     Without  reckoning,  exclusive  of. 

342.  yule  nicht.    Yule  eve.     It  is  the  second  day  before  Yule 

that  the  King  is  lost  in  the  mountains,  and  he  spends 
that  night  with  Rauf.  The  next  morning  he  returns, 
after  bidding  Eauf  come  "  to-morrow,"  or  Yule  day, 
to  the  Court.  Rauf  sets  out  early  on  Yule  morning. 

343.  Bischop  Turpine.     Archbishop  of  Reims  in  the  latter 

part  of  the  eighth  century.  The  romances  represent 
him  as  the  trusted  councillor  of  Charlemagne. 

344.  reuest.     Robed  in  their  vestments.     "  Tisiphone  .... 

in  bludy  caip  reuestit."     Douglas,  Aen.  vi,  9. 
344.   at  ane  sicht.    At  once ;  all  together.    Lit.  "  at  one  sight." 

"  Seuyne  score  of  scheildis  thai  schew  at  ane  sicht." 

GG.  483. 
347.  following.     The  Midland  form.     So  cumming  (1.  397) ; 

during  (1.  924). 

351.  rew.     Street,  from  Fr.  rue.     "  We  pas  by  secrete  wentis 

and  quiet  rewis."     Douglas,  Aen.  ii,  xi. 

352.  Sanct  Dyonys.     The  famous  abbey  of  Saint  Dionysius, 

or  Denis,  the  patron  saint  of  France. 
356.   wicht  qualifies  sone. 
358.  principall.     Principal  men,  high  nobles. 
360.   worthie  began.     Worthily  begun. 
363.   dew.     This  verb,  originally  weak,  has  taken  the  strong 

forms  dew  and  dawin  (1.  383). 
366.   wandit.     Apparently  the  addition  of  a  weak  suffix  to  a 

strong  preterit. 


The  Taill  of  Eauf  Coiljear.  117 

LINE. 

367.  bot  jone  man  that  ye  knew.     Unless  you  knew  that  man. 

368.  do  ym  in  his  gentrise.     Trust  yourself  to  his  courtesy  or 

good  faith.  "  I  do  me  in  thi  gen  trice,  be  Drightin." 
GO.  1111.  "To  souer  in  thi  gentrice  but  signete 
or  sele."  Ib.  1105.  "  In  his  gentrice  richt  weill  I 
dar  assure."  King  Hart,  397. 

370.  and  he  had  bene  attane.     Gyliane  means  that  her  pres- 

ence restrained  Wymond  from  violence. 

371.  for  thy.     Instrumental  case  of  the  pronoun.     Therefore; 

on  that  account. 
374.   layd.     A  contraction  for  "  lay  it."     So,  "  on  thy  awin 

perrell  beid  "  (=  be  it),  Freiris  of  Berwick,  541.    "  I 

stand  ford  "  (=  for  it),  Lyndsay,  Satyre. 
379.   war.     Subjunctive.     I  spoke  not  out  of  reason  (i.  e.  my 

rebuke  was  just)   to  Wymond,  if  the  truth  were 

known. 

391.  thing.     Used  for  man,  or  person,  as  in  1.  481. 

392.  set  him  on  assay.     Undertake  any  adventure. 

396.  boim.  Proceed,  go.  "To  souper  sone  thai  bownd." 
W.  485.  "  Bischopis  bovnis  to  the  burd."  H.  685. 

409.  all  haill.  Entire,  complete.  Also  used  adverbially. 
"  He  governit  alhaill  the  abbacy."  Freiris  of  Ber- 
wick, 127.  "  All  haill  thy  harte  for  till  haif  myne." 
Henryson,  Robene  and  Makyne,  85. 

415.   huit.     Contracted  form  of  huifit.     Cf.  1.  493. 

415.  midmorne  and  mair.  Mid-morn  and  past.  "  Be  it  wes 
mydmorne  and  mair."  GG.  480.  Cf.  Barbour, 
Bruce,  xiv,  206. 

417.   come.     The  preterit.     The  present  is  cum. 

432.  for  to  towsill.     A  loose  construction.     It  might  be  freely 


118  The  Taill  of  Rauf  Coiljear. 

LINE. 

rendered  :  As  for  maltreating  me,  or  laying  violent 
hands  upon  me  (if  such  be  your  purpose)  before,  ete. 

434.  do  way.     A  form  of  dehortation,  equivalent  to  "  have 

done,"  "cease."  "  Do  way !  qua)>  he,  it  schal  be  so." 
Orfeo  and  Heurodis,  226.  "  The  quite  kny^te  bede, 
do  way ! "  Sir  Amadace,  xxxviii,  5.  "  Do  way, 
quoth  pat  derf  man  ....  pat  speche."  G.  1492. 

435.  be  att  that  we  haue  sworne.     By  our  vows  of  knighthood. 

A  form  of  adjuration  used  by  one  knight  to  another ; 

here  somewhat  facetiously  addressed  to  Rauf. 
439.   suld  haue  went.     Shouldst  go. 
442.   myster.     From  Lat.  ministerium,  OF.  mestier.     It  has 

two  meanings : 

(1)  craft,    art,    skill,   occupation.      "  An    engynour 
....  that  sleast  wes  of  that  mister."     Barbour, 
J5ruce,  xvii,  434.     "Husbandis  and    men    of  all 
mysteris."     Ib.  542.     "  Tak  me  here  Mi  fundlyng 
for  to  lere  Of  pine  mestere."     Kyng  Horn,  227. 

(2)  need,   necessity.      "He  maid    succoure   till    his 
that    myster    had."      Barbour,   Bruce,   xvii,    387. 
"  Thai  had  gret  myster  of  rest."    Ib.  798.    See  note 
to  1.  748.     Rauf  means  either  that  he  is  under  no 
obligation  to  fight  wandering  knights,  or  that  he  has 
not  the  requisite  skill,  fighting  not  being  his  business. 
The  former  is  probably  the  meaning  here. 

451.   nor  hecht.     Perhaps  we  should  read  na  hecht. 

455.  gowlis.  Gules,  the  heraldic  term  for  red,  said  to  be 
derived  from  Persian  gul,  a  rose.  "  He  bure  a  lyon 
....  of  gowlis  full  gay,"  H.  366,  referring  to 
the  arms  of  the  King  of  Scots  :  a  red  lion  on  a  field 
of  gold,  within  a  double  tressure.  "  Fayr  wes  the 


The  Taitt  of  Rauf  Coifyar.  119 

LIKE. 

feild  ....  with  gold  and  goulis  in  greyne."     GO. 

475. 
458.     trimland.     This  and  the  following  lines  refer  to  Sir 

Holland,  whom  we  must  conceive  as  trembling  with 

excess  of  wrath  or  valour. 

467.  plaitis.     Back  and  breast  plates.     Chaucer's  Sir  Thopas 

wears  "  a  plate  "  over  his  hauberk. 

468.  pulanis.     The  projecting  knee-pieces  of  plate-armour. 

"  Polena,  pars  vestis  militaris  qua  genua  teguntur-" 
Du  Cange,  s.  v.  "  Pullane  greis  he  braissit  on  full 
fast."  "W.  viii,  1203.  "Luflych  greue^  with  polay- 
ne$  piched  ]?er-to."  G.  576. 

468.  prest.  Handsome,  fine.  "  per  weore  pope-iayes  prest." 
Pistill  of  Sman,  75.  "  Princes  ]?at  er  proper  and 
prest."  Minot  (Wright)  Pol.  Songs,  i,  751.  "  More 
people  more  handsome  and  prest."  Tusser,  Ixiii,  7. 
"  As  prety  and  as  prest."  Skelton,  Phyllyp  Sparowe, 
264. 

468.  peir.     Perhaps  we  should  construe  this  as  "  peir  of  that 

ilk  : "  matching  in  design  his  back  and  breast  plates. 
Cf.  "  of  ]?e  same  painture  Was  lingell  and  trappure." 
Libeaus  Desconus,  1663. 

469.  graipis.     Bosses?  clasps?   The  word  does  not  seem  to 

occur  elsewhere.  The  construction  would  seem  to 
require  "  on  his  greis." 

470.  cmsanis.     Armour  for  the  thighs.     OF.  cuissot.     The 

Oxf.  Diet,  derives  from  cuisson;  but  Littre"  says 
that  cuissau  and  cuissot  are  the  only  forms  found  in 
the  old  texts.  Godefroy  gives  quesson.  It  occurs 
as  guyssewes  in  G.  578. 

471.  braissaris.     Armour  for  the  arms.     Fr.  brassart. 


120  The  TaiU  of  Rauf  C&U^ear. 

LINE. 

473.  trew  lufe.     Probably  should  be  trew  lufes.     True-love- 

knots,  or  lacs  d'  amour,  were  an  ornament  frequently 
met  with  in  heraldry.  They  occur  in  the  collar  of 
the  order  of  the  Garter.  King  Arthur's  mantle  was 
"  trauerste  wyth  trewloues  in  trete."  AA.  354.  In 
AA.  510,  the  "  trewluffes "  with  which  the  knight 
was  decorated,  seem  to  have  been  embroideries  on 
his  cote-armure.  In  G.  612  Gawane  wears  a  ker- 
chief or  veil  over  his  aventayle,  "  enbrawden  with 
tortors  ....  and  trulofe^."  The  "tortors"  are 
evidently  torteaux,  or  circular  plates  of  a  red  colour, 
so  called  in  heraldry. 

474.  tewettis.     Equipments,  arms.     "The  toppe-castelles  he 

stuffede  with  toyelys."  MA.  3617.  Previous  edi- 
tors changed  it  to  "  iewellis."  Cf.  "  Trwe  tulkkes 
in  toures  teueled  wyth-inne."  Clannesse,  1189. 

474.  full  tdr.     Very  tedious.     A  rather  favourite  formula. 

"  It  war  full  teir  for  to  tell  ....  the  seir  courssis." 
GG.  213.  "  The  order  of  thar  armis,  it  war  to  tell 
teir."  H.  578.  To  telle  the  dedis  ....  my  tonge 
were  to  tere."  AA.  121.  Sometimes  written  tore. 
"That  were  to  tor  for  to  telle."  G.  165.  "Hit 
were  to  tore  for  to  telle  of  |>e  tenj^e  dole."  Ib.  719. 

475.  drculit.     Surrounded,  bordered.     Dunbar  says  of  the 

lion  in  the  royal  arms  of  Scotland,  which  is  within 
a  flowered  tressure : 

"  On  feild  of  gold  he  stude  full  mychtely, 
With  flour-de-lycis  sirculit  lustely."     Thrissill  and  Rois,  97. 

476.  bettisand.     Elegant,  handsome.     This  word  (not  found 

elsewhere)  seems  to  be  from  OFr.  abettisant,  agreeable, 


The  Taitt  of  Rauf  Coityar.  121 

LINE. 

pleasing.     "  Couleurs  abellisans."     G.  de  Machault, 
(in  Godefroy). 

477.  stout  on  stray.  Apparently  an  error.  On  stray  (= 
"  astray,"  as  on  lyfe  in  1.  591  is  "  alive ")  signifies 
"  aside,"  "  sidewise."  The  phrase  stert  on  stray  is 
common,  applied  to  the  shying,  sidewise  prancing, 
or  starting  of  a  mettlesome  horse  or  frightened 
animal.  "His  stedes  startun  on  straye."  AA. 
532.  "  Mony  sterne  [riders]  ....  stertis  on  stray." 
GG.  19.  The  hunted  fox  "start  on  stray."  G. 
1716.  Of.  Syr  Degrevant,  1640.  We  have  also  the 
phrase  stryke  on  stray.  "  One  a  stirtande  stede  he 
strykes  one  straye."  AA.  511.  "The  stedis  stak- 
erit  in  the  stour  for  streking  on  stray."  GG.  916. 
It  is  probable  that  in  the  text  we  should  read  start 
instead  of  stout. 

479.  ronsy.  Horse,  Fr.  roncin,  from  Lat.  rodnus.  "He 
rood  upon  a  rouncy."  Chaucer,  Prol.  390.  The 
original  meaning  seems  to  have  been  work-horse  as 
distinguished  from  war-horse.  "  Plus  que  ne  pevent 
porter  quatre  roncin."  Garin  le  Loherain,  iii.  Du 
Cange  defines  rodnus  as  "  equus  minor."  Cf.  Don 
Quijote,  I,  i.  "Rocinante,  nombre  ....  signifi- 
cative de  lo  que  habia  sido  cuando  file"  rocin." 

481.  rusit.  Admired,  praised.  "  This  ilk  Tewcer  his  enemyis 
of  Troye  Rusit  and  lovit."  Douglas,  Aen.  i,  9. 
See  note  to  1.  80. 

481.   ryall  thing.     See  note  to  1.  391. 

483.  to  the  gre.  To  the  [same]  degree,  i.  e.  corresponding  to 
his  appearance. 

483.  iornaying.  Combat.  "  The  journey  was  for  the  Kyng 
of  England."  Froissart  (Berners),  cli. 


122  The  Taill  of  Rauf  Cottjear. 

LINE. 

485.  he  war,  etc.  He  would  be  (or  must  be)  a  full  mighty 
man  who  durst  meet  him  with  hostile  intent  (magre). 
"I  will  sey  more,  with  that  thow  conne  me  no 
magre."  Merlin,  ii.  "  And  36  kun  me  na  mawgre." 
Ywain,  990.  Fr.  mal  gre,  maugre. 

489.   vndertuk.     So  in  S.  T. ;  in  original  vndertak. 

494.  may  the  hicht  haue.  That  is,  until  the  sun  has  ascended 
to  the  meridian. 

496.  catehe.  Go,  proceed.  "  Kysse  me  ....  and  I  schal 
each  he}>en."  G.  1794.  See  1.  33. 

496.  that  sail  not  be  to  craue.  There  will  be  no  entreaty 
about  that ;  i.  e.,  if  you  object,  you  shall  be  com- 
pelled to  go. 

498.  gaif.     For  geif  or  gif,  for  the  sake  of  the  rime. 

499.  for  na,  etc.     Tonndorf  makes  this  and  the  following 

line  part  of  Holland's  speech.  But  Holland  has 
intimated  that  Rauf's  refusal  to  come  might  be 
interpreted  to  his  prejudice  as  indicating  contumacy 
or  disloyalty  to  the  King,  and  Rauf  energetically 
repels  the  insinuation. 

503.  nor  he  namit,  etc.  Nor  did  he  name  thee  more  than  any 
other  man. 

511.  mat.  Vex,  molest,  trouble,  "pou  mote^  me  for  to 
mate."  Pearl,  612.  The  word  has  found  its  way 
into  most  European  languages  by  the  means  of  the 
game  of  chess,  and  is  originally  Arabic  :  shah  mat, 
"  the  king  is  dead,"  giving  our  "  checkmate." 

513.  this  deir  day.  Compare  "this  blessed  day  "in  modern 
vernacular. 

520.  stubitt.  Stout,  sturdy.  "  In  stubbill  array,  throw  rank- 
est gers  and  corne."  Henryson,  Uplandis  Mous,  92. 


The  Taill  of  Rauf  Coiljear.  123 

LINE. 

521.   toun  man,  as  opposed  to  husband  man,  countryman. 

533.  buikis  and  bellis.  A  common  oath.  The  books  and 
bells  are  those  used  in  the  services  of  the  Church. 
"  That  borne  was  in  Burgoyne,  by  ))uke  and  by 
belle."  AA.  30.  "  Scho  blyssede  his  body  with 
buke  and  with  belle."  Quatrefoil  of  Love,  33. 

535.  aduertance.  Retinue.  Originally  attention,  attendance, 
hence  body  of  attendants. 

538.  gif  If  and  the.  If  I  try  thee,  i.  e.  put  thy  good  faith  to 
the  test. 

538.  forrow.  Apparently  the  only  instance  of  this  verb. 
Forrow  is  "  before,"  "  in  advance,"  and  here  may 
mean  "  go  forward  "  "  proceed."  Or  it  may  be  an 
imperative  use  of  the  adverb,  as  "  On,  Stanley,  on  ! " 
Or  ga  may  have  dropped  out  of  the  text.  Cf.  "  ^he 
ga  forrow  vs."  Barbour,  Bruce,  vii,  145. 

540.  hot  gif  ....  delay.  Unless  some  sudden  (unlooked- 
for)  hindrance  delay  it. 

542.  threit.  Contracted  form  of  threipit.  To  threip  is  to 
quarrel  or  fight ;  here  used  in  the  sense  of  "  com- 
pelled," "forced." 

545.  to  new.     To  renew  (or  make  good)  thy  covenants. 

546.  airar  ....  nor  none.     Holland  was  not  obliged  to 

produce  Rauf  until  about  noon.     See  1.  400. 
550.   rais.     Hack,  slash,  hew. 

"Thys  knyght  noght  of  hir  [the  serpent]  myght  rase."     Rom. 

of  Partenay,  5938. 

"  With  his  swerde  so  mightely  gan  race 
Through  the  umber  into  Troylus  face."     Lydgate,  Troy  Book. 

We  have  the  noun  in  G.  2076.     "  Ther  }>e  ruful 
race  he  schulde  re-sayue." 


124  The  TaiU  of  Rauf  Coifyear. 

LINE. 

552.  als  febil  ....  bone  fay.  As  weak  in  thy  good  faith 
(as  thou  art  splendid  in  appearance). 

562.  as  we  war  borne.     Cf.  Chaucer,  K.  T.  775 :   "  on  his 

hors,  allone  as  he  was  born." 

563.  blonkis.   OE.  blonca.     The  original  meaning  was  prob- 

ably a  light-coloured  horse,  but  it  is  used  in  the 
earliest  literature  for  "horse"  simply. 

563.   bland.     Probably  an  error  for  band,  bond,  covenant. 

575.  hone.  Delay.  A  contracted  verbal  noun  from  hove, 
(huif)  linger,  tarry.  "The  turtour  ....  enterit 
but  hone."  H.  130. 

590.  semblit.  Came,  approached.  The  usual  meaning  of 
semble  is  meet,  encounter.  "  Sex  ware  to  symple  to 
semble  with  hyme  one."  MA.  967.  "  Bot  I  sem- 
ble ....  with  San^enis."  H.  484. 

605.  beget.  This  evidently  means  to  deceive,  trick,  but 
instances  are  wanting.  It  is  probably  a  variant  of 
begeck,  befool.  "  To  begaik  ....  ther  husbandis." 
Dunbar,  Twa  Mariit  Wemen,  452  (Maitland  MS.). 
A  geek  was  a  fool,  laughing-stock.  "The  most 
notorious  geek  and  gull."  Twelfth  Night,  v,  1. 

610.  gedlyng.    Fellow.    OE.  gcedeling.    "  This  gladdez  myne 

herte  that  ^one  gedlynges  are  gone."  MA.  2885. 
"  Wat !  harlot  gadelyng,  saide  sche."  Sir  Ferum- 
bras,  1234.  "Stondith  stille,  thou  gadiling." 
Gamelyn,  203. 

611.  ane  gift  ....  I  geif.     I  give  a  gift,  i.  e.  I  have  news 

for  you  (?). 

614.  cassin.  Placed,  set.  Contracted  form  of  castin.  The 
panniers  were  "  set  on  the  ground,"  apparently  in 
expectation  of  custom.  "  Than  had  I  cassin  in  cair 


The  Taill  of  Rauf  Coil^ear.  125 

LINE. 

mony  kene  knight."  GG.  1108.  "  Curches  cassin 
thame  abone,"  i.  e.  kerchiefs  placed  on  their  heads. 
Dunbar,  Twa  Mariit  Wemen,  23. 

615.  preissis  to  preif.     Insists  on  trying. 

629.  enbraissit.  An  error  for  vnbraissit,  unfastened.  The 
word  with  this  meaning  seems  not  to  occur  elsewhere. 

635.  set  that  bot  licht.  Care  but  little  for  that.  "  Of  para- 
mours he  sette  not  a  kers."  Chaucer,  Mitt.  T.  570. 

648.  this.     Probably  should  be  the  regular  plural  thir,  as  in 

1.  690.  This  for  "these"  occurs  in  11.  662,  725 ; 
but  in  both  cases  with  the  uninflected  plural,  "  this 
seuin  ^eir."  The  pi.  wanis  is  probably  used  on 
account  of  the  rime. 

649.  He  trowit.     This  seems  superfluous,  in  both  grammar 

and  metre. 

650.  rewaird.     Attention.     "  They  will  take  rewarde  to  you 

....  because  of  elde."  Y.  M.  xx,  235.  "  Havinge 
un-to  myn  honour  ....  no  reward."  Chaucer, 
Tr.  v,  1736. 

652.  not  ....  almaist.  Almost  not,  scarcely.  They  ac- 
counted the  collier  scarcely  worth  notice. 

655.  furth  fend.  Should  probably  be  one  word,  furthfend, 
meaning  restrain,  keep  back.  "  Forfende  thi  foot 
from  the  sties  of  hem."  Wyclif,  Prow,  i,  15. 

670.  reuatt.  Border,  band,  list,  tressure  (OFr.  rieule).  We 
are  enabled  to  determine  the  meaning  of  this  rare 
word  by  an  interesting  passage  in  the  Wallace  (ix, 
106).  We  are  told  that,  as  Wallace  was  sailing  to 
France,  several  ships  hove  in  sight,  on  beholding 
which  the  skipper  exhibited  great  alarm,  and  when 
Wallace  inquired  the  cause,  explained  that  the  vessels 


126  The  Taitt  of  Rauf  Coityar. 

LINK. 

were  those  of  the  Red  Reiver,  the  most  formidable 
and  merciless  of  pirates.  He  knew  him,  he  said, 
by  his  cote-armure,  or  heraldic  cognisance,  which 
bore  a  bar  of  blue  and  a  bend  of  green,  "  and  riwell 
ay  off  reid."  This  Reiver,  it  seems,  was  a  historical 
person,  named  Thomas  de  Longueville.  Wallace, 
we  are  told,  overcame  him,  made  him  his  friend  and 
procured  his  pardon  from  the  King  of  France. 
From  this  Thomas  was  descended  the  distinguished 
family  of  Charteris  of  Kinfauns,  who  bore  as  arms, 
argent,  a  fess  azure  (the  "  bar  of  blue  ")  in  a  double 
tressure  gules  ("  riwell  off  reid ") ;  the  tressure  or 
border  being  an  honourable  augmentation,  borne 
also  in  the  royal  arms  of  Scotland.  The  well-known 
arms  of  Charteris  were  doubtless  familiar  to  the  poet 
of  the  Wallace,  as  also  the  history  of  the  family. 
Thus  we  fix  the  meaning  of  "  riwell  of  reid  "  as  a 
red  tressure,  border,  or  list.  It  is  also  plain  why 
our  poet  selected  it  as  a  decoration  for  the  ceiling  of 
Charlemagne's  hall.  Every  Scot  knew  the  royal 
arms  of  Scotland :  or,  a  lion  rampant  gules,  in  a 
double  tressure,  flory,  counterflory,  also  gules ;  and 
knew  also  the  ancient  tradition  that  Charlemagne, 
grateful  for  services  rendered  him  by  Achaius,  King 
of  the  Scots,  and  as  a  symbol  of  lasting  friendship, 
added  to  his  blazon  the  double  tressure  ornamented 
with  fleurs-de-lis.  Leslie,  Historic  of  Scotland,  v. 
Hence  our  poet,  in  describing  the  decorations  of 
Charlemagne's  hall,  could  not  forget  the  "flour- 
delycis"  (668)  nor  the  tressure. 

675.   dosouris.     Canopies.     "  Dorserium,  umbraculum  .... 


The  Taill  of  Rauf  Coifyar.  127 

LINE. 

quod  capiti  sedentis  superponitur."  Du  Cange, a.  v. 
"  Abofe  the  dece  on  doser  to  henge."  G.  478.  Cf. 
AA.  444.  OFr.  doussier. 

678.  he  was  set.     We  should  probably  read  "it  was  set," 

referring  to  the  hall,  which  the  poet  is  describing. 
Cf.  1.  666.  Rauf  has  not  yet  caught  sight  of  the 
King.  We  may  render  "  It  was  cunningly  adorned 
in  marvellous  variety." 

679.  blyth  byrdis.     Embroidered  in  the  hangings  or  tapestry. 

"  Birdes  braudene  aboue  in  brend  golde  bri^te." 
AA.  444  (D). 

679.  bestiall.  Animals  collectively.  "Wthir  dantit  gretar 
bestial."  Douglas,  Aen.  vii.  Prol.  79.  "  Ane  re- 
vand  wolf  that  levit  ....  on  bestiall.  Henry  son, 
The  Wolf,  the  Foxe,  and  the  Cadgear,  3. 

683.  bancouris.  Coverings  to  seats.  "  Benkis  ourbeld  with 
bancouris  of  gold."  H.  672.  "  Dossours  and 
qweschyns  and  bankowres  full  bryghte."  AA. 
444.  OFr.  banquier. 

686.    at  all  richt.     Exactly  right ;  in  their  proper  marshalling. 

689.  anournit.  Adorned.  "  Wyth  vertue^  ennourned."  G. 
634. 

689.  that  is  na  nay.     That  is  not  to  be  denied.     "  Till  accuss 

Natur,  this  is  no  nay."  H.  113.  "The  briddes 
singe,  it  is  no  nay."  Chaucer,  Sir  Thopas,  55. 

690.  wald  of.     Would  go  out  of.     The  suppression  of  the 

verb  of  motion  is  common.     Cf.  "Thow  mon  to 

Paris,"  1.  425. 

692.   worthis  of  him.     What  becomes  (or  has  become)  of  him. 
701.    can  thring.     Pleonastic  for  thringis  or  throng.     This  use 

of  can  and  couth  is  very  common  in  Early  Scottish. 


128  The  Taill  of  Rauf  CoU^ear. 

LINE. 

"  Till  him  he  ran,  and  out  a  suerd  can  draw."    W.  i, 

401.     Cf.  1.  826. 
704.   worthis.     Will  be,  can  be. 
706.   A  line  is  missing  in  the  original,  evidently  to  the  effect 

that  Wymond  did  not  present  so  imposing  an  appear- 
ance before. 
713.   seigis.     Men,  lords.     "  Thus  assemblit  thir  segis,  syris 

sen^eourable."     H.  655.     "Baith  thai  segis  .... 

stithly  thai  stude."     GG.  575.     OE.  Secg. 
717.  gyde.     Apparel,  robe,  gown.     "  A  gyde  of  .  .  .  grene." 

W.  i,  214.     "  Hir  gyte  was  gray."     Henryson,  Test. 

of  Cresseid,  260.     "She  cam  after  in  a  gyte  of 
,  reed."     Chaucer,  R.  T.,  34.     "  Hir  gyde  was  glory- 

ous  and  gaye,  alle  of  gyrse  grene."     AA.  366. 

719.  come  to  me.     Came  to  me,  tempted  me. 

720.  hope.     Fear,  apprehend.     "  He  hopid  j>at  hys  lord  was 

hyrt."  Ywain,  2465.  "  He  hoped  he  was  wode." 
Ib.  1675.  "  I  haue  slike  pyne  That  I  hope  my 
hand  to  tyne."  Holy  Rood,  821.  "Vs  commes 
som  bodeworde,  I  hope  it  be  badde."  Quatrefoil 
of  Love,  250. 

721.  changis  my  cheir.     To  change  the  cheer  was  to  make  or 

become  uneasy,  to  alarm,  or  distress  (as  indicated  by 
change  of  countenance).  "His  cher  ful  oft  con 
chaunge."  G.  711. 

727.  for-wonderit.  Surprised,  amazed.  "The  wise  of  the 
weder  for-wondred  J>ey  were."  AA.  (D)  334.  "Al 
for-wondered  wat^  J?e  wy^e."  G.  1660. 

731.  sd  strait  ford.     So  straight  forward,  i.  e.  everything  in 

order  as  it  had  occurred. 

732.  quoke.     This  verb,  originally  weak,  has  taken  a  strong 

preterit. 


The  Taill  of  Rauf  Coifyar.  129 

LINE. 

733.  schord.     Threatened.     "  Schorand  the  citie  to  distroy." 

Douglas,  Aen.  xii,  12.  "  Yone  sterne  for  to  schore." 
GG.  276.  We  have  also  the  noun :  "  Thi  schore 
compt  I  noght  ane  caik."  GG.  103.  "  He  brukit 
not  for  all  the  busteous  schor."  W.  vii,  1080.  So 
Kyng  Hart,  144,  376. 

734.  with  all.     Together. 

740.   set  at  sa  licht.     So  lightly  regarded.     Cf.  1.  635. 

742.  be  our  sicht.     By  our  judgment  or  opinion. 

743.  God  forbot.     A  more  usual  form  is  "  Goddis  forbot," 

forbot  being  a  noun. 

745.    him  semis.     For  he  semis. 

748.  myster.  Need.  "His  horss  ....  he  gaif  To  the 
ladyis  that  mystir  had."  Barbour,  Bruce,  iii,  356. 
"  In  hys  almus  he  [Macbeth]  sew  syluer  Till  all  pure 
folk  that  had  myster."  Wyntoun,  Cronykil,  vi,  18. 
"  Mend,  geue  ony  myster  be."  Lauder,  Dewtie  of 
Kingls,  489.  The  curlew  could  write  "with  his 
neb,  for  mistar"  (with  his  bill  at  need).  H.  207. 
See  note  to  1.  442.  Fr.  mestier.  "  Viegne  qui 
d'  avoine  a  mestier."  Girard  de  Viane. 

760.  forfaltour.  Forfeiture  of  a  vassal's  land  for  breach  of 
feudal  obligations.  Lat.  forisfactura. 

760.  fre  waird.  When  a  tenant  in  chief  was  a  minor,  the 
wardship  fell  to  the  King,  who  might  bestow  it  upon 
any  one  whom  he  wished  to  reward.  Chaucer  was 
given  the  wardship  of  Edmond  Staplegate  in  1375. 

765.  schone.  Shoes.  "Thow  salle  wynne  thi  schone  Ap- 
pone  the  sowdane."  Sir  Percival  of  Galles,  1595. 
"  That  day  he  taught  hym  so  to  done,  That  worthely 
he  wanne  his  schone."  Ipomydon,  977.  Another 

9 


130  The  Taill  of  Rauf  CoUjear. 

LINE. 

phrase  is  "to  win  one's  spurs,"  applied  to  a  newly 

created  knight's  first  feat  of  arms. 
766.    wythest.     For  wichtest. 

772.  bdaucht.     Committed.     The  King  ordered  that  a  cham- 

ber with  armour  should  be  committed  to  a  squire  for 
Sir  Rauf's  use. 

773.  clois.     The  term  was  applied  to  the  close-fitting  plate- 

armour,  as  distinguished  from  the  looser  armour  of 
interlocking  rings  or  scales,  such  as  the  hauberk  or 
jesserant. 

774.  of  fee.     His  feudal  vassals.     We  must  understand  that 

the  yearly  revenue  of  three  hundred  pounds  was 
the  rental  of  lands  to  be  held  by  Rauf  in  capite. 

782.  gest.     Jest,  object  of  derision. 

783.  ganandest.     Readiest,  nearest.     Ganand  is  "  suitable," 

"  fitting."  "  Heir  is  no  meit  that  ganand  is  for  ^ow." 
Freiris  of  Berwick,  254. 

784.  sail  neuer,  etc.     Shall  never  a  lord  laugh  aloud,  while 

my  life  may  last,  that  I  for  cowardice  should  leave 
off  [draw  back  from  fighting]  and  [I]  living,  more- 
over. That  is,  while  I  have  life. 

790.  and  docht.     The  carl,  namely ;  that  is,  Rauf  himself. 

791.  runsy.     See  note  to  1.  479. 

799.   neir  tyme.     Near  the  time  of  day  of  his  former  encounter. 

809.  renk.  Lists,  tilting-ground.  "The  dou^ty  kny^thus 
....  throw  the  renkus  gon  thai  ryde."  Syr 
Degrevant,  1286.  See  next  note. 

809.  fewtir  (OF.  f outre,  feutre).  A  support  of  some  kind 
attached  either  to  the  breast-plate  or  saddle,  to  steady 
the  lance  and  add  force  to  the  thrust.  The  word  is 
frequent  in  the  Fr.  and  Eng.  romances  of  the  13th, 


The  Taill  of  Rauf  Coiljear.  131 

LINE. 

14th  and  15th  centuries.  "Lance  sor  fautre." 
Garin  le  Loherain.  "  Met  la  lance  sor  le  fautre." 
Chev.  de  la  Charette.  "  To  him  rides  with  his  spere 
on  feuter  festened."  W.  of  Palerne,  3593.  Author- 
ities differ  as  to  the  form  and  attachment  of  the 
fewter;  but  if  the  same  as  the  "arest,"  it  was  a 
metallic  projection  from  the  right  side  of  the  breast- 
plate.  Attachment  to  the  saddle  seems  irreconcilable 
with  contemporary  drawings.  The  knight  placed 
his  lance  "in  fewter"  when  about  to  charge,  as 
Rauf  does  here  when  within  the  distance  usual  in 
the  lists  (rowme  of  ane  renk). 

810.  fer  fellonar.     He  supposes  that  it  is  Holland,  but  finds 

him  more  formidable  or  ferocious  in  appearance. 

811.  foundis.     Attempts.     We  find  this  verb  used   in  the 

sense  of  "  make  an  attempt  on,"  "  attack,"  in  AA. 
262  :  "  That  ofte  foundis  the  folkes." 

811.  forcenes.  Vigour,  might.  The  adjective  is  common. 
"  A  fforsey  mane  and  a  ferse."  MA.  3308.  "Ferse 
and  forssy  in  fight."  GG.  487.  "  Of  Grekis  mast 
forcy  Diomed."  Douglas,  Aen.  i,  3.  "  He  raisit  up 
his  forcie  arme."  Clariodus,  i,  83. 

811.  se.  Sir  Rauf  is  anxious  to  see  the  face  of  his  adversary 
(now  covered  by  his  visor)  to  determine  if  it  be 
Rolland  or  another,  and  this  he  might  do  by  un- 
helming  him. 

815.   splenders.     "Thair  speris  in  splendris  sprent."  GG.  618. 

821.  vther.     Each  other. 

822.  baft.     Beat,  smote.    "  Beft  him  with  buffettis."   Dunbar, 

Fen^eit  Freir,  78.  "  The  wroth  of  the  goddis  has 
doun  beft  The  cietie  of  Troye."  Douglas,  Aen.  ii, 
10.  "  Bysyn  in  baile  beft."  H.  959. 


132  The  Taitt  of  Rauf  Coiljear. 

LINE. 

825.   dout  of  vincussing.     Fear  of  conquest,  i.  e.  of  being 
conquered. 

831.  heit.     The  original  has  held,  evidently  an  error  for  heit. 

See  1.  838. 

832.  mait.     Exhausted.     "  At  ]>e  last  he  wat^  so  mat   he 

my^t  no  more  renne."  G.  1568.  "Mate  I  lay 
down  on  )>e  grownde."  Ywain,  427.  "  pey  bu]>  so 
mate  }>ay  mowe  no^t  go."  Sir  Ferumbras,  2506. 
See  note  to  1.  511. 

833.  price.     Honour,  reputation.     "  The  Pacoke  of  pryce." 

H.  90. 

836.  girth.     Peace,  truce.     A  metathesis  of  grith  (OE.  grift). 

"  Thay  gafe  no  gamene  no  grythe  J?at  one  grownde 
growes."  AA.  59. 

837.  jame  efter  ^eliding.     Desire  yielding ;  ask  quarter. 
839.   veseir.     Visor.     The  movable  front  part  of  the  helmet, 

pivoted  so  that  it  might  be  raised  or  lowered.  Some- 
times the  aventayle  was  divided  into  two  sections, 
locking  together ;  the  upper,  or  visor,  might  be  lifted 
so  as  to  uncover  the  eyes,  while  the  lower,  or  bever, 
might  be  moved  so  as  to  allow  the  knight  to  drink. 
Both  visor  and  bever  (often  spelled  "  beaver  ")  were 
frequently  used  for  the  whole  aventayle,  as  in  Ham- 
let, i,  2 ;  and  the  aventayle  for  the  bever,  as  in  MA. 
910.  "  Pysane,  aventayle,  and  gorgere."  Libeaus 
Desconus,  1708,  where  the  pysane  is  the  camail 
falling  from  the  helmet  and  protecting  the  back  of 
the  neck,  the  aventayle  protects  the  face,  and  the 
gorgere  the  throat. 

845.    bak  heir.     In  original,  bakheir.     "  Back "  is  a  backer, 
supporter,  second.      "  Without  knowledge  of  any 


The  Taill  of  Rauf  Coiljear.  133 

LINE. 

back  ....  to  follow.  Knox,  Hist.  Ref.  i,  89 
(Laing).  "  "Welcome,  iny  bully,  my  back  ! "  Con- 
greve,  Old  Bachelor,  ii,  2. 

850.  Termagant.     An  evil  spirit  or  demon,  anciently  sup- 

posed to  be  worshipped  by  Mohammedans  and  other 
heathen.  The  origin  of  the  word  is  uncertain.  In 
old  romances  it  more  frequently  appears  as  Tervagan. 
"  La  loi  y  fut  Mahon  et  Tervagan."  Chanson  de 
Holland,  611.  "  pe  souefte  hatte  Teruagant,  an  heh 
god  in  ure  land."  La^amon,  Brut,  13912.  "  That 
file  geaunt  |;at  leved  in  Termagant."  Libeaus 
DesGonus,  1391. 

851.  blenkit.     To  blenk  is  to  beam,  radiate.     "The  bemes 

blythest  of  ble  fro  the  son  blent."  (blent  =  blenkit) 
H.  3.  Cf.  "ice-blink."  Rauf  "beamed  with  his 
face,"  i.  e.  his  face  lighted  up  when  he  discovered 
that  his  adversary  was  a  Saracen. 

852.  thow  sayis,  etc.     He  had  not  said  so,  but  Rauf  infers  it 

from  his  appeal  to  Mahoun. 
854.  ^sall  neuer  hine.     See  note  to  1.  690. 

856.  succudrously.      Haughtily,  arrogantly.      The   noun    is 

surquedry  or  suocudry.  "  Wher  is  now  your  sour- 
quydrye?"  G.311.  "  Spekis  na  succeudry."  GG. 
278.  "Of  surquidrye  and  foul  presumpcioun." 
Chaucer,  Troilus,  i,  213. 

857.  I  haue,  etc.     I  am  not  so  fond  of  life  (i.  e.  I  have  no 

such  fear  of  death)  as  to  let  you  depart  amicably 
(without  a  combat).     Rauf  has  just  said  that  one  of 
them  must  die. 
861.   rude  braid.    Rood-breadth.     Cf.  "pe  frensche  men  ]>ai 


134  The  Taill  of  Rauf  Coiljear. 

LINE. 

made  reculle  wel  an  akers  lengj>e."     Sir  Ferumbras, 

971. 
863.  ptthis.     Cf.  Henryson.    Foxe  and  Cadgear,  175.     "My 

pith  micht  mocht  beir  it." 
873.   tyte.     Quickly.     "He  bad   ]>at  I  sold  tel  him  tite." 

Ywain,  409.    "  Elene  also  tite  ....  gan  her  tire." 

Libeaus  Desconus,  889. 
880.   soueranoe.     Assurance   of   safety,   truce.     "Be-soghte 

hym  of  surrawns  for  sake  of  our  Lorde."     MA. 

3182.     Equivalent  to  "  saiff-condyt."    W.  vi,  898. 

So  souerit,  assured  of,  safe  from.     Cf.  W.  viii,  870, 

and  GG.  1105  (where    it   is   misprinted   soner   hi 

S.  T.). 
882.   breif.    Probably  an  error  for  brey,  frighten.    "  A  serpent 

....  breyd  thame  all."     Wyntoun,  Cronykil,  vi, 

322.    "  Fra  thay  saw  thair  sembly,  It  culd  thame 

bre."     Douglas,  King  Hart,  187. 

886.  the  tane,  etc.     One  of  us  is  able  to  overcome  you.    Per- 

haps we  should  read  the  presoun,  i.  e.  thee  a  prisoner. 
Prison  for  prisoner  is  common,  "pis  ]?ing,  sir,  I 
ask  of  J?e,  J>at  al  ]?is  prisons  may  pas  fre."  Ywain, 
3299.  "  Ledej>  wij?  hem  J>e  ryche  prysouns  ]>at  |>ay 
habbe]>  y-take."  Sir  Ferumbras,  1000.  "  As  over- 
come and  prisoun  A  knist  me  hider  gan  sende." 
Libeaus  Desconus,  405. 

887.  wassalage.     Knightly  deed.     "  In  armys  syne  did  mony 

hie  waslage."  W.  i,  158.  He  is  cumen  of  hie 
parage,  And  wonder  doghty  of  vasselage."  Ywain, 
1240.  "Sa  for  to  de,  him  thocht  it  no  waslage." 
W.  x,  415.  The  original  meaning  was  the  knightly 
service  which  the  vassal  owed  his  feudal  lord.  Here 


The  Taill  of  Rauf  Coityar.  135 

LINE. 

the  meaning  is  that  it  would  be  no  knightly  deed  for 

two  to  attack  the  Saracen  when  one  was  fully  his 

match. 
892.   start.     Brief  space,  moment,     "pou  shal   leve  but  a 

start."     AA.  259.     "  Ane  hour  or  twa  thinkis  bot 

ane  stert."     Good  Wyfe,  188. 
898.   with  schame.     To  their  discomfiture  and  disgrace. 

904.  the  Chane  of  Tartarie.     "  The  Cham  of  Tartarie  With 

fourtie  thowsand  Turkis  was  redie  To  enter  in  his 
land."  Clariodus,  iii,  7. 

905.  this  message,  etc.     I  would  this  message  were  [brought] 

to  him. 

907.  wthoutin  plesance.  Without  any  softening  of  its 
harshness. 

910.  sour.     Evil,  vile.     "  Neuer  se  hym  with  sy^t  for  such 

sour  tourney."     Clannesse,  192. 

911.  als  fer  as  he  may.     As  far  as  he  has  power.     Laing 

altered  fer  of  the  original  to/ers  (spoiling  the  sense) 
and  the  other  editors  follow.  S.  T.  gives  the  origi- 
nal reading  in  the  margin. 

916.  warysoun.  A  word  of  several  meanings.  1.  Protection, 
safeguard,  safety.  "Thai  dred  full  sar  for  thair 
awn  warysoun."  W.  viii,  869.  Modern  "  garrison  " 
is  the  same  word.  There  is  also  a  verb,  warys  or 
warisch,  meaning  to  protect.  Arthur  prays  God  "to 
warys  fra  wo  Wawane  the  wight."  GG.  1006. 
God  says  to  Lot,  "  Nov  walle  }>e  a  wonnyng  J>at  };e 
warisch  my^t."  Clannesse,  921.  It  also  means 
relieve.  "  Warische  ]mm  out  of  J>aire  wo."  Altengl. 
Leg.  N.  F.  p.  49,  1.  33.  "  Than  were  my  brother 
warisshed  of  his  wo."  Chaucer,  F.  T.  434.  Or 


136  The  Tatil  of  Rauf  CoU^ear. 

LINE. 

to  recover,  be  healed.  "For  to  sojourn  J>are  a 
stovvnd,  Til  he  wer  warist  of  his  wound."  Ywain, 
2653.  "  I  am  wathely  woundide,  waresche  mone  I 
neuer."  MA.  2186.  (Hence  Fr.  guerir).  Or  to 
refresh.  "  ^e  arn  not  wel  naryst,  nau]?er  of  sost- 
naunce  ne  of  slepe."  G.  1094.  2.  There  is  also 
another  waryson,  meaning  reward.  "Wel  am  I 
rewarded  ....  now  have  I  my  waryson."  Malory, 
Mort  Darthure,  ix,  12.  Fabricius  sends  the  treach- 
erous physician  to  Pyrrhus  "  to  get  thi  warisoune." 
Barbour,  Bruce,  xx,  544.  King  Edward  promises 
"  all  Fyfe  in  warysoun  "  to  the  slayer  of  Bruce,  Ib. 
ii,  206.  "  I  sal  hir  gif  to  warisowne  Ane  of  the 
foulest  quisteroun."  Ywain,  2399.  See  note  to  1. 
936.  Here  Magog's  meaning  may  be  that  his  valour 
is  a  sure  protection  to  his  fellow-believers  in  his  own 
land,  or  that  he  is  richly  rewarded  for  his  prowess. 
The  former  interpretation  is  preferable. 

918.  full  euitt  wyn.  There  should  probably  be  a  comma  after 
wyn.  "  That  is  full  evil  prosperity,  to  have  land 
while  thou  art  living,  and  then  hell  at  thine  end." 
Tonndorf  puts  a  comma  after  land,  in  which  case 
the  construction  would  be :  "  That  is  a  full  evil 
[thing]  to  win  land,"  etc.  The  Saracen,  however, 
has  not  threatened  a  conquest  of  territory,  but  only 
a  foray  of  devastation,  and  he  has  intimated  that  he 
is  a  great  lord  in  his  own  country. 

924.  during,  etc.  Lasting  until  the  day  dawns  that  never 
will  set,  i.  e.  the  last  day.  To  be  seized  of  these 
duchies  while  the  world  lasts.  The  article  may 


The  Taill  of  Rauf  Coiljear.  137 

LINE. 

have  dropped  out  before  day.     Durand  would  have 
been  the  regular  form. 

925.  win.  Happiness,  prosperity.  "  By  King  Onotrius  inha- 
beit  first  with  wyne."  Douglas,  Aen.  iii.  3. 

927.   Dame  Jane.     See  Introduction. 

930.  I  do  the  out  of  dispair.  I  put  thee  out  of  doubt.  "  The 
noblest  prynce,  without  any  dispayre,  That  tyme 
alyue."  Hardynge,  Chron.  144.  "  And  earles  both 
they  were,  without  dispayre."  Ib.  151.  Holland 
assures  the  Saracen  that  he  need  not  doubt  him,  and 
re-affirms  the  eligibility  of  the  lady. 

936.  gold.  In  original,  "  god,"  and  so  in  all  the  editions,  but 
clearly  an  error  for  "  gold."  The  Saracen  despises 
the  offer  of  wealth,  but  is  willing  to  believe  in  the 
Christians'  God.  "  Gold  and  garsomes "  was  a 
common  phrase. 

936.  grassum.  Treasure.  (OE.  gcersum).  It  occurs  in  the 
forms,  garsome ;  "  Grettere  J>an  Gaynour  of  garso- 
mes and  of  golde."  AA.  147  ;  gersome :  "  weddid 
....  with  gyftis  and  gersomes."  76.697;  garson: 
"  with  giftes  and  garsons."  Ib.  697  (D  and  I  texts) ; 
From  garson  the  transition  was  easy  to  garysoun. 
Ladies  would  rather  have  Gawayn's  company  "  J>en 
much  of  ]?e  garysoun  oj?er  golde  J?at  pay  hauen." 
G.  1255.  "And  ^eue  hem  gret  garysoun."  Rob. 
Glouo.  (H.)  409.  This  may  explain  the  origin  of 
the  second  warysoun,  meaning  "reward."  "pou 
salt  habbe  garisome."  La^amon  (B)  14162  where 
A  has  gcersume. 

939.   that  mair  may.     Who  (sc.  God)  is  of  greater  power. 
942.    askis.     See  note  to  1.  50. 


138  The  Taill  of  Rauf  Coiljear. 

LINE. 

945.   angeris.     Afflictions,  distresses.     See  note  to  1.  156. 

952.  kend.  Taught,  directed.  The  poet  considers  the 
Saracen's  conversion  as  happening  by  divine  ap- 
pointment. 

967.  Idf  thame.  Perhaps  reflexive :  to  pass  their  lives 
together,  as  was  right.  Or  perhaps  thame  should 
be  thair :  to  live  there  (on  his  new  estates)  rightly, 
sc.  with  his  wedded  wife. 


GLOSSAEY. 


ABBREVIATIONS. 

Dan,  Danish  ;  F.  French  ;  Gael.  Gaelic ;  led.  Icelandic  ;  L.  Latin  ; 
M Du.  Middle  Dutch ;  ME.  Middle  English  ;  Nth.  Northumbrian  ;  OE. 
Old  English,  or  West  Saxon  ;  OF.  Old  French ;  OFris.  Old  Frisian  ; 
ON.  Old  Norse ;  &w.  Swedish. 

adj.  adjective ;  adv.  adverb ;  art.  article ;  conj.  conjunction ;  imp. 
imperative  ;  inf.  infinitive ;  int.  interjection  ;  pp.  past  participle  ;  prep. 
preposition  ;  pres.  present ;  pres.  part,  present  participle  ;  pret.  preterit ; 
pron.  pronoun  ;  sb.  substantive  ;  subj.  subjunctive. 


abalSit  pp.     abashed,  101. 

abufe  adv.   above,  43,  679,  816,  859. 

afoyde    inf.      await,  remain  until, 

282,  485,  806. 

aduertance  sb.    retinue,  535. 
affray   sb.    alarm,  cause  of  affright, 

507. 
agane,    agayne    adv.    and    prep. 

again,  155, 158, 422,  862  ;  against, 

towards,  322,  608. 
aganis  prep,     against,  32. 
air  adv.     ere,  before,  158,  824. 
air  sb.     heir,  932. 
alrar  adv.     sooner,  earlier,  546. 
airlic,  airly    adv.      (Nth.    serlice) 

early,  soon,  79,  272,  322,  363,  778. 
airt  sb.     (Gael,  aird)  quarter,  point 

of  the  compass,  137,  329. 
allace  int.     alas,  709. 
allane  adj.     alone,  370,  612. 
all  haill  adj.    entire,  complete,  409. 


all  kin    all  kinds  of,  358. 
almaist  adv.     almost,  652,  832. 
alS,  alswa  adv.     (Nth.  allswae)  as, 

also,  108,  115,  252,  262,  303,  523, 

758. 

amang  prep,   among,  22,  37, 69,  782. 
anamalit  pp.     enamelled,  painted, 

685. 
and  conj.    if,  56,  241,  312,  440,  511, 

604. 
ane  art.,  pron.  and  adj.     (Nth.  an) 

a,  2,  385  ;  one,  3,  441  ;  any,  236, 

576  ;  alone,  260. 
anent  prep.    (OE.  on  emn)  opposite 

to,  close  by,  278. 
anerly  adv.     only,  590,  845. 
aneuch  adj.,  adv.  and  sb.     enough, 

(with  singular)  160, 187,  201,  249, 

525,  688. 
anew  adj.     enough,  (with  plural) 

365. 

139 


140 


Glossary. 


anger  sb.     (ON.  angr)  pain,  afflic- 
tion, 156,  945. 
angerit  pp.    distressed,  exhausted, 

831. 

anis  adv.  once,  126,  644,  692. 
anournit  pp.  (OF.  aourner) 

adorned,  689. 

appcllit  pret.     appeared,  350. 
appeirand  air  sb.     heir  apparent, 

932. 
apperrellit  pp.    apparelled,  decked, 

6fi4. 

ar  pres.     are,  art,  767,  919. 
argult  pret.     argued,  644. 
arrayiS  pres.     array,  351. 
arrayit  pret.     arrayed,  576. 
assaill  inf.     attack,  826. 
assay   sb.     trial  of  arms,  combat, 

392. 

at  pron.  (Nth.  sed)  that,  268. 
ataniS  adv.  at  once,  473,  694. 
ather  pron.  each,  either,  289,  826, 

833. 
a  tour,  attour  prep,    (at  over)  over, 

above,  391,  467. 
aucht  pres.     ought,  126. 
auld   adj.     old,  517,  560. 
awin  adj.     (Nth.  agen)  own,    33, 

68,  113,  128,  377. 
ay   adv.      (ON.  ey)   ever,    always, 

693,  909. 

bachelelris  sb.    bachelors,  knights, 

11. 

bad  pret.     bade,  ordered,  113,  597. 
baft   pret.      (ON.  *beafta)    smote, 

822. 
bald  pret.      (Nth.  bad)    remained, 

tarried,  28,  798. 


bald  sb.     delay,  tarrying,  486. 

balr  adj.     plain,  open,  798. 

balr  adj.  bare,  stripped,  despoiled, 
902. 

balr  pret.     bore,  223,  455,  516. 

balr  sb.     boar,  185. 

baith  adj.  (ON.  bafler)  both,  10, 
48,  58,  250,  569,  736,  817. 

bak  sb.     backer,  second,  845. 

bak,  on  abv.    aback,  backward,  696. 

bakln  pp.    baked,  209. 

bald  sb.     bold  one,  407,  712. 

bald,  baldly  adv.  bravely,  boldly, 
222,  806,  883. 

bancouris  sb.  (OF.  banquier)  cov- 
erings for  benches,  683. 

band  pret.     bound,  tied,  797. 

bandis  s6.     fastenings,  bars,  629. 

bane,  bayne  adj.  and  adv.  (ON. 
beinn)  ready,  willing,  420 ;  quick- 
ly, 606. 

banls  sb.     bones,  471. 

barrounls  sb.    barons,  11. 

basnet  (OF.  bacinet)  steel  cap, 
helm,  462,  822. 

battaill  sb.    battle,  828. 

batteris  on  imp.    lay  on,  smite,  883. 

bayne   (see  bane}. 

be  prep,     by,  8,  34,  435,  611. 

be  adv.    by  the  time  that,  23,  29,  383. 

befoir  prep,  and  adv.  before,  4, 119, 
121,  400,  461. 

beget  inf.  beguile,  deceive,  605 
(see  note). 

begOUth  pret.     began,  120. 

begyllt  pp.  beguiled,  entrapped, 
710. 

behaldand  pres.  part,  beholding, 
416. 


Glossary. 


141 


behOUit  pret.     behoved,  405. 

behufe  sb.     need,  convenience,  41. 

behuse  sb.     (see  note)  82. 

beir  «.    bear,  287,  563. 

beird    pret.     (OFris.  baere,    noise) 
vociferated,  stormed,  175. 

belrne  sb.     (OE.  beam)  man,  war- 
rior, 187,  562,  730,  781,  822. 

beliue  adv.    (ME.  bi  life)    quickly, 
94,  112,  263,  324,  629. 

bellisand,   adj.     elegant,    splendid, 
476. 

ben  adv.     (Nth.  binna)  in,  697. 

bene  pp.    been,  119,  205,  8T4. 

bene  adj.     pleasant,  beautiful,  679. 

bennysoun   sb.     blessing,  212. 

bent  sb.     grassy   field,   field,   730, 
797,  812. 

benwart  adv.    in,  to  the  inner  room, 
131. 

beriall  sb.     beryl,  463,  472. 

beseik  pres.     beseech,  769,  942. 

bestlall  sb.     animals,  679. 

bet    pp.      (OE.     betan)     kindled, 
142. 

betakin  inf.     betoken,  signify,  403. 

betaucht  pp.     (Nth.  betaht)  com- 
mitted, given  in  charge,  772. 

betuix  prep,    between,  342. 

betyde  pret.    bedded,  befell,  15. 

be  tyme  adv.    betimes,  287. 

bid  pres.     offer,  313. 

bigfging  sb.     (ON.  byggja)  house, 
dwelling,  188,  902. 

bimy  sb.    (OE.  byrne)  coat  of  mail, 
hauberk,  764,  806. 

bischop  sb.     bishop,  339,  343,  955. 

blak  adj.    black,  522. 


blan  pret.      (Nth.  blinna)   ceased, 

paused,  822. 
bland  sb.     agreement,  engagement, 

563. 

blandlt  pp.     blended,  studded,  472. 
blaw  sb.    blow,  369. 
blenkit  pret.     beamed,  851. 
blin    inf.      (Nth.    blinna)     pause, 

stop,  92,  629. 
blonk     sb.      (OE.    blonca)     horse, 

steed,  563,  797,  807.' 
blyith,  blyth  adj.    blithe,  cheerful, 

glad,  75,  192,  216,  407,  679. 
bOCht   pret.  and  pp.     bought,  370, 

redeemed,  180,  718. 
bOdWOrd  sb.     message,  902. 
boist  sb.     brag,  fuss,  369,  882. 
boistit  pret.     bullied,  781. 
bone  fay  sb.     (F.  bonne  foy)  good 

faith,  552. 

bordourit  pp.     bordered,  462. 
borne  pp.    born,  562. 
bot  conj.    but,  31,  553  ;  unless,  367, 

447. 
bot  glf  conj.     unless,  except,  497, 

540,  549. 
boun  inf.     (ON.  bua)  make  ready, 

423 ;  proceed,  396. 
boun    adj.      (ON.    buinn)    ready, 

prompt,  124,  882. 
boun    (maid  him)  took  his  way, 

793. 

bowre  sb.    (OE.  bur)  chamber,  533. 
braid  adj.     broad,  34 ;  bulky,  807. 
braid,   sb.     breadth,  space,  861. 
braid,  sb.    blow,  858. 
braidit   pret.     (Nth.  brsegd)  drew, 

864. 


142 


Glossary. 


braissaris  sb.   brassarts,  arm-pieces, 

471. 

bralssit  pp.   braced,  armed,  551. 
bralthlle    adv.      (ON.  braSr)    vio- 
lently, 175. 
brand  sb.    brand,  burning  log,  131, 

910. 
brand    sb.     sword,  518,  522,  764, 

806,  858. 

braun  sb.     brawn,  185. 
breid  sb.     breadth,  152. 
breid  (on)  adv.    abroad,  forth,  594. 
breid  sb.     bread,  pastry,  185,  209. 
breif  imp.     (see  note)  882. 
brest  pret.     burst,  859. 
bricht  adj.     bright,  131,  188,  222, 

462,  551,  683. 
brocht  pret.  and  pp.     brought,  185, 

269,  276,  489,  910. 
broun  adj.     brown,  797. 
browdin   pp.      (OE.  broden)     em- 
broidered, 683. 
brydill  sb.    bridle,  476. 
bulk  sb.    book,  353,  533. 
buird    sb.     board,  table,  145,  158, 

185,  726. 

buklair  sb.     buckler,  517. 
burelie,    burely     adj.      handsome, 

188,  264. 

burneiSt  pp.     burnished,  462. 
busk  sb.    (LL.  boscum)  bush,  797. 
buskit    pret.      (ON.  buask)    made 

ready,    dressed,   273 ;    set    forth, 

proceeded,  407,  594. 
busteous   adj.     boisterous,  violent, 

730,  781. 
bUStCOUSly    adv.     boldly,  swagger- 

ingly,  594. 


but  adv.  and  prep,  out,  outside, 
111,  without,  184,  499. 

byde  inf.  remain,  tarry,  285,  781, 
964. 

byrd  pres.  (Nth.  byre?)  ought, 
behoves,  160. 

byrdlS  sb.     birds,  209,  679. 

byrdlS  sb.  (ME.  burde)  ladies, 
damsels,  533. 

byre  sb.  (OE.  byre)  stable,  out- 
house, 111. 

byrnand  pres.  part,  burning,  132, 
188,  222. 

CEChlt  pret.  (OF.  cacher)  travelled, 
wandered,  33. 

cair  sb.     care,  sorrow,  913. 

cairfull   adj.     anxious,  uneasy,  715. 

cais  sb.     case,  254,  260. 

cal  inf.     call,  238. 

call  subj.     drive,  drive  off,  638. 

CalliS  pres.     call,  46. 

callit  pret.     called,  133. 

cameill  sb.    camel,  804. 

can  pres.     know,  62. 

cant  adj.  (O.Dan,  kantar,  ON. 
katr)  brisk,  active,  42,  113. 

cantlle,  cantly  adv.  briskly,  bold- 
ly, 386,  804. 

capill  sb.  (L.  caballus)  horse,  pack- 
horse,  43,  114,  365,  382,  418,  487, 
638. 

capounis  sb.    capons,  111,  207. 

carll  sb.  (ON.  karl)  fellow,  man, 
peasant,  42,  44,  93,  100,  746,  788. 

carping  sb.  (ON.  karpa)  talk,  con- 
versation, 728. 

carpis  pres.     speakest,  492. 


Glossary. 


143 


carpit  pret.  spoke,  said,  44,  194, 
211. 

carpit  pp.     carpeted,  681. 

caryit  pret.  (ON.  keyra?)  proceed- 
ed, returned,  952. 

COSSin  pp.     placed,  set,  614. 

cast  sb.     fortune,  hap,  33. 

catchand  pres.  part,  going,  travel- 
ling, 386. 

catche  inf.  (OF.  cacher)  go,  496  ; 
drive,  526. 

catchlt  pret.     went,  wandered,  382. 

caucht  pret.    went,  proceeded,  838. 

caucht  pret.     cast,  put,  382. 

Chachand  pres.  part,    travelling,  42. 

chaip  inf.  (OF.  eschaper)  escape, 
get  away,  559,  720,  721. 

Chalmer  sb.  chamber,  235,  263, 
771. 

Chane  si.     khan,  904. 

chauffray  sb.  (OE.  *ceapfaru) 
ware,  merchandise,  321. 

Cheiftyme  sb.     reign,  1. 

Cheir  sb.  cheer,  countenance,  mood, 
178,  192,  216,  348,  721,  840. 

cheualrie,  cheualry  sb.  chivalry, 
295,  341. 

CheualTOUS  adj.     chivalrous,  840. 

chcueris  pres.  [Icel.  kippa]  shiv- 
er, chatter,  96. 

chiftane  sb.    prince,  lord,  1. 

chyld  sb.     servant,  attendant,  235. 

Circulit  pp.  surrounded,  bordered, 
475,  677. 

ClalS  sb.     clothes,  432,  706. 

ClamiS  pres.     claims,  927. 

Cled  pp.  clad,  covered,  265,  681, 
705. 


Clelklt  pret.  ( OE.  gelseccan )  pulled, 
drew,  820. 

Cleir  adj.  and  adv.  clear,  loud, 
bright,  194,  211,  495,  706,  716, 
958. 

Clene  adj.     pure,  706. 

Clene  adv.     clean,  entirely,  125. 

clething  sb.    clothing,  705. 

Clois  adj.     close,  close-fitting,  773. 

ClOSand  pres.  part.  closing,  join- 
ing, 682. 

Closit  pp.    inclosed,  265. 

coft  pp.     (MDu.coft)  bought,  105. 

COilis,  COillis  sb.  coals,  charcoal, 
50,  305,  365. 

COil^ear  sb.  collier,  charcoal-bur- 
ner, passim. 

columbyn  sb.    columbine,  672. 

come  pret.     came,  42,  417,  571,  658. 

command  pret.  and  pp.  command- 
ed, 501,  585. 

commounis  sb.  common  people, 
340,  429. 

compeir  (L.  comparere)  appear, 
198,  497. 

COnserult  pret.  preserved,  kept, 
950. 

COnuent  sb.     convents,  344. 

COnuert  pres.  and  inf.  convert,  be 
converted,  891,  921. 

COP  sb.     cup,  212. 

COrnelliS  sb.  (LL.  cornale)  cor- 
ners, 682. 

COUCr  inf.     reform,  921. 

couerit  pp.    covered,  681. 

COUnsall  sb.  counsel,  advice,  299, 
367,  963  ;  council,  584. 

counsall  pres.    counsel,  advise,  526. 


144 


Glossary. 


counsingis  86.    cousins,  897. 

countenance  sb.  bearing,  223,  805  ; 
countenance,  715. 

COUnteriS  pres.  encounterest,  at- 
tackest,  872. 

countit  pret.  accounted,  considered, 
652. 

COUrseir  sb.     courser,  horse,  115. 

COUrtasie  sb.  courtesy,  good  man- 
ners, 125,  171,  423,  429,  746. 

courteir  sb.    courtier,  163. 

COUrteS  adj.     courteous,  163,  716. 

COUrtesly   adv.     courteously,  421. 

COurtingiS  sb.     curtains,  265. 

COUth  pret.  (Nth.  cu'Se)  knewest, 
knew,  125,  171. 

crabitnes  sb.  ill-temper,  surliness, 
526. 

craue  inf.    ask,  496. 

creillis  sb.  baskets,  panniers,  43, 
365,  382,  418,  487,  614. 

creip  inf.     creep,  126  (see  note). 

criStalliS  sb.     crystals,  472. 

cristin  adj.  and  sb.  Christian,  171, 
747,  872,  890,  913. 

CUle  inf.     cool,  838. 

Cum  subj.  and  inf.     come,  254,  572. 

cumlie  adj.  and  adv.  comely,  hand- 
some, 194,  199,  470,  716;  hand- 
somely, 265. 

cumly  sb.     handsome  (men),  574. 

cummand  prea.  part,  coming,  343, 
801,  841. 

cummin  pp.    come,  107,  786. 

CummiS  pres.     comes,  430,  760. 

cumpany  sb.     retinue,  776. 

cunnand  adj.  (ON.  kunnandi) 
skilful,  accomplished,  163. 


cunning  sb.    knowledge,  93. 
cunnlngls  sb.     conies,  rabbits,  207. 
cuplit  pp.     coupled,  joined,  43. 
CUragiOUS    adj.      courageous,   741, 

767,  805. 

CUSinglS  sb.    cousins,  kinsmen,  913. 
CUSSaniS  sb.     (OF.  quessons)   cuis- 

sarts,  thigh-armour,  470. 

daillis  sb.     dales,  383,  414,  795. 

dantelS    sb.      dainty  things,  orna- 
ments, 676. 

dantely  adv.     daintily,  beautifully, 
665,  676. 

dantit  pret.   and  pp.     daunted,  in- 
timidated, 433,  598. 

dar  pres.     dare,  374. 

dawin  pp.     dawned,  383. 

dawiS  pres.     dawns,  924. 

day    (the)     to-day,  401,  646. 

dayntels  sb.    dainties,  189. 

dayntelie  adv.    daintily,  handsome- 
ly, 189. 

debalt    sb.      discussion,  hesitation, 
44. 

defend  pres.    (F.  de"fendre)  forbid, 
60,524. 

deid'  adj.     dead,  512,  814,  818,  962. 

deid  sb.     deed,  271,  513,  695. 

deill  inf.     deal,  512,  598. 

deip  adj.     deep,  17. 

deip  sb.     (see  note)   17. 

delr  adj.  and  adv.     dear,;513  ;  dear- 
ly, 105,  252,  370,  718. 

deir  sb.     deer,  196. 

dels  s6.     dais,  table,  189. 

deliuer  the    haste  thyself,  hasten, 
300. 


Glossary. 


145 


deme  inf.    judge,  675. 

dentil  pp.     set,  665. 

derf  adj.  (ON.  diarfr)  bold, 
strong,  383. 

deuill  sb.    devil,  95,  719. 

deuisc  pres.     report,  declare,  612. 

dew  pret.     dawned,  363. 

dicht  inf.  (OE.  dihtan)  prepare, 
133. 

dicht  pp.  prepared,  arranged, 
ready,  142,  189,  588,  676. 

digue  adj.  (F.  digne)  worthy, 
noble,  venerable,  352,  753,  955. 

ding  inf.    (ON.  dengja)  strike,  915. 

discouerand  pres.  part,  reconnoit- 
ring, surveying,  795. 

dispair,  sb.    doubt,  930. 

diSpittOUSly  adv.  pitilessly,  with- 
out mercy,  901. 

disseuer  inf.     separate,  part,  525. 

disseuerit  pret.  separated,  parted, 
29. 

do  pres.     put,  368,  930. 

docht  pret.  (OE.  dohte)  was  able, 
790. 

dois  pres.     dost,  86,  896. 

dOiS  glaidlie    be  merry,  193. 

dOSOUriS  sb.  (OF.  doussier)  cano- 
pies, 675. 

douchereis  sb.    duchies,  923,  933. 

dOUChtie  sb.  doughty  one,  warrior, 
588,  695,  796,  955. 

doun  adv.  down,  111,  177,  197, 
333,  915. 

doun  sb.     down,  hill,  414,  795. 

dourly  adv.  (L.  durus)  violent- 
ly, strongly,  915. 

dOUt   sb.     fear,  825,  966. 

10 


do  way   (see  note)     434. 

draif  pret.     drove,  17,  27. 

dreichlie  adv.  (OE.  dreogan)  stead- 
ily, regularly,  215. 

dreid  sb.     fear,  79,  196,  376. 

dreid  pres.     fear,  237,  598,  710. 

drest  pp.    placed,  put,  199. 

drest  (him)  pp.  addressed  him- 
self, 406. 

drichtine  sb.  (Nth.  drihten)  the 
Lord,  853. 

dubbit  pret.  (F.  adouber)  dubbed, 
752. 

dUChepeiris  sb.    peers,  paladins,  10. 

dukis  sb.     dukes,  10,  753. 

dule  sb.  (OF.  doel)  mourning, 
trouble,  95,  199. 

durandlie  adv.  continuously,  stead- 
ily, 17. 

dure  sb.     door,  94,  102,  120,  675. 

during  pres.  part,  enduring,  con- 
tinuing, 924. 

dyamountis  s6.  diamonds,  464, 
665. 

dyntis  «6.    blows,  512. 

e  sb.     eye,  693,  715. 

efter  prep,     after,  135,  251,  346. 

efter  adv.     according,  537. 

elk  conj.     eke,  also,  208. 

eir  »6.     ear,  150. 

eird  sb.     (OE.  eorfle)   earth,  154. 

eird  sb.    (OE.  card)  land,  country,. 

171. 
eirnestly  adv.     earnestly,  pressing- 

ly,  618  ;  attentively,  693. 
eiS  sb.     ease,  220. 
eismentis  sb.  easements, comforts, 82. 


146 


Glossary. 


eist  sb.    east,  16,  27, 137. 

ellis  adv.    else,  otherwise,  127,  539. 

enbraissit     pp.       unfastened,     629 

(see  note). 

enchaip  inf.    (see  note)  316. 
encheif  inf.     (F.  achever)  succeed, 

prosper,  316. 

endlang  prep,    along,  687. 
engreif  inf.     (OF.  engrever)    give 

offence,  do  harm,  617. 
engreuit  pp.    displeased,  601. 
enteris  pres.     enter,  come  in,  189. 
erand  sb.     errand,  536,  546. 
erlis  sb.     earls,  3. 
euer  adv.     ever,  224,  240,  361. 
euill    adj.  and  adv.     evil,  bad,  95, 

168,  918  ;  badly,  40,  835. 
euln  adv.     straightway,  793. 

faille  pres.     (F.  faillir)  faint,  832. 

faind  pret.     (see  note)    153. 

falndiS  pres.  (OE.  fandian)  at- 
temptest,  899. 

fair  sb.  fare,  provision,  112,  206  ; 
load  (?)  417. 

fair  sb.     (OE.  fser)  behaviour,  147. 

fair  inf.  fare,  110,  258  ;  go,  284,  633. 

fairand  pres.  part,  going,  proceed- 
ing, 443,  589. 

fairlie  adv.  fairly,  handsomely, 
174. 

fais  sb.    foes,  751. 

fallow  sb.  fellow,  54,  72  ;  adver- 
sary, 876. 

fand  pres.    (OE.  fandian)  try,  538. 

fand  pret.     found,  70,  72,  505,  810. 

fane  adj.  glad,  pleased,  205,  317, 
418,  616. 


farne  pp.    fared,  108. 

fauour  sb.     favour,  899. 

fay    sb.      (OF.  fei)    faith,  88,   97, 

509,  552,  569,  889. 
faynt  adj.    faint-hearted,  cowardly, 

523. 

febil  adj.     weak,  frail,  552. 
fechand  pres.  part,     bringing,  506. 
fecht  pres.  and  inf.     fight,  524,  751. 
fecht  sb.    fight,  875. 
fechtine,  fechting    s6.      fighting, 

combat,  60,  461,  874. 
fee  (Of)   sb.     in  his  service,  774. 
feid    sb.       (OE.    faj-Su)     hostility, 

anger,  506,  966. 
feild    sb.      field,   land,  8,   74,  413, 

443,  589. 

feind  sb.    fiend,  889. 
feir  (in,  into)  (OE.  gefera)   in  com- 
pany, together,  118,  144,  174,  218, 

347,  413,  465,  579,  668,  702. 
feirslie  adv.     fiercely,  18. 
feit  sb.     feet,  444. 
feld  pret.     felt,  97. 
fell    sb.      (ON.   fjall)     hill,   rocky 

hill,  2,  19,  69. 
fell    adj.      (OF.  fel)    fierce,  cruel, 

severe,  74,  97,  731,  874. 
fellonar  adj.    more  formidable,  810. 
felloun    adj.     (OF.  felon)    wicked, 

911. 

fellounlie  adv.  fiercely,  violently,  18. 
fen  sb.     mire,  444. 
fend  (furth)    inf.      restrain,    keep 

back,  655. 

fensabill  adj.     warlike,  327. 
fer  adj.     far,  26,  69,  346,  412,  810 

911. 


Glossary. 


147 


ferlie,  ferly  &b.  (Nth.  feerlic) 
wonder,  marvel,  402,  669,  900. 

ferly  adv.     fairly,  courteously,  579. 

ferly  full  adj.  marvellous,  terrible, 
2. 

fet  inf.     fetch,  carry,  443. 

fewalll,  fewall,  fewell  sb.  fuel, 
242,  303,  443. 

fewtir  sb.  (OF.  fautre)  rest  or 
socket  for  a  spear,  809. 

feynd  sb.    fiend,  911. 

flue  adj.     five,  34. 

flamand  pres.  part,  blazing,  re- 
splendent, 669. 

flan  sb.  (ON.  flan)  storm,  tem- 
pest, 2. 

fleichingis  sb.  (F.  flechir)  flat- 
teries, cajolery,  899. 

flourdelyce  sb.    fleur-de-lys,  668. 

flure  sb.     floor,  681. 

fOllOWit  pret.     pertained,  506. 

foly  sb.     folly,  524,  553. 

forbot   imp.  ?    forbid,  743. 

forceness,  forcynes  sb.  vigour, 
might,  811,  817. 

ford   adv.     forward,  forth,  731. 

forestalls  sb.     foresters,  195. 

forfaltour  sb.  (OF.  forfaicture) 
forfeiture,  760. 

formest  adj.  first,  principal,  286, 
579,  668,  702. 

foroutin  weir    without  doubt,  288. 

forrow   (see  note)    538. 

forsulth  adv.  forsooth,  truly,  55, 
71,  146,  191,  200. 

for  thy  adv.     therefore,  371,  916. 

for-WOnderit  adj.  surprised, amazed, 
727. 


forwrocht     pp.       (Nth.    forworht) 

outwearied,  exhausted,  835. 
for^eild  pres.     (Nth.  forgelda)   re- 
quite, reward,  78. 
forget  inf.     forget,  312,  966. 
forget  pp.     forgotten,  125,  148. 
fOUlllS  sb.     fowls,  birds,  523,  680. 
foundls  pres.     (OE.  fundian)  goes, 

proceeds,  174. 

foundls  pres.     attempts,  tries,  811. 
foundlt  pret.     went,  advanced,  702. 
foundlt  pret.     founded,  968. 
fra  prep.     (ON.  fra)   from,  4,  162, 

371,  609. 

frane  inf.     (Nth.  fregna)  ask,  225. 
freik    sb.     (OE.  freca)    man,  616, 

655. 

freindly  adv.     friendly,  279. 
frelndSChlp   sb.     friendship,  61. 
freschlle    adv.      cheerfully,    gaily, 

210. 
freuch   adj.     (ME.  frough,  brittle  ; 

OHG.  fro)   frail,  weak,  523. 
fre  waird  (see  note)   760. 
fule  sb.    fool,  507. 
fundin  pp.    found,  292,  500,  523r 

552,  616,  763. 
fure   pret.      fared,  24,  210;    went, 

came,  8,  18. 
furth   adv.  and  prep,     onward,  69  ;. 

on,  along,  397. 
furth  fend  inf.    restrain,  keep  back, 

655. 

furth  gane  pp.     advanced,  262. 
fusloun  sb.     (L.  fusionem)  plenty, 

abundance,  210. 

fute  sb.    foot,  548,  817  ;  footing,  1ft 
fyftene  adj.     fifteen,  231,  669. 


148 


Glossary. 


tylit  pp.     defiled,  444. 

fyne  adj.     fine,  54,  680. 

fyre    sb.     fire,  81,  109,  132,  142, 

222,  910. 
fyrth   (OE.  friiS)    woodland,  grove, 

680. 
fyue  adj.    five,  655. 

ga  imp.  and  inf.  go,  116,  157,  423, 
750. 

laddering  sb.    assembling,  336. 

gaif  inf.     give,  498  (see  note). 

gaif  pret.  gave,  390  ;  gavest,  369  ; 
gave  up,  836. 

gals  pres.     go,  219. 

gaist  s6.    guest,  96,  104,  108,  213. 

gaist  sb.     ghost,  836. 

gait  sb.  (OX.  gata)  road,  way, 
42,  93,  108,  568,  610,  783. 

gal^art  adj.  (OF.  gaillart)  gal- 
lant, gay,  782. 

ganandest  adj.  (ON.  gegna)  most 
convenient,  readiest,  783. 

gane  adv.    (ON.  gegn)  hastily,  610. 

gane  pp.     gone,  158,  238,  349. 

gang  inf.  and  imp.  go,  145,  147, 
158,  261,  381,  487. 

gangis  pres.     goest,  610. 

gangand  pres.  part,     going,  445. 

gar  imp.  and  inf.  (Icel.  gora) 
make,  cause,  213,  396,  501,  723. 

gart  pret.  caused,  made,  583,  771, 
861,  955. 

gat  (furth)  pret.  got  forth,  went 
out  (?)  601. 

gat  pret.     got,  697,  777. 

gawin  sb.  (Dan.  gavn)  gain,  ad- 
vantage, 381. 


gay  sb.    gay  one,  783. 

gedllng  sb.  (OE.  gsedeling)  fel- 
low, 610,  619. 

geif  pres.     give,  611. 

gelr  sb.     array,  armour,  482,  770. 

gentill  adj.  noble,  182,  203,  337, 
343,  571,  927. 

gentrise  sb.     courtesy,  mercy,  368. 

gest  sb.     guest,  201. 

gest  sb.     jest,  laughing-stock,  782. 

gestnlng  sb.  lodging,  entertain- 
ment, 972. 

gif,  gyf  cmj.  if,  62, 110,  234,  253, 
397. 

gif  pres.  and  inf.  give,  309,  761, 
770. 

girth  sb.     (OE.  gri«)   peace,  836. 

glaid  adj.    glad,  77,  117,  178,  601. 

glaid  pret.  glided,  moved,  went, 
98,  482. 

glaidlie  adv.     (see  note)   193. 

glaidly  adv.    gladly,  willingly,  617. 

gle  sb.  pleasure,  entertainment, 
627,  717,  953. 

gle  sb.     (see  note)  98. 

glemand  pres.  part.  gleaming, 
shining,  667. 

glemiS  sb.     gleams,  lights,  456. 

glitterand  pres.  part.  glittering, 
456,  667,  717,  770. 

gouerning  sb.  living,  livelihood, 
445. 

gowlis  sb.     gules,  red,  455,  667. 

graid  pp.  (contr.  of  graithit)  pre- 
pared, ready,  141. 

graipis  sb.    bosses,  studs  (?)  469. 

graith  adj.  (ON.  grsei'Sr)  speedy, 
prompt,  389. 


Glossary. 


149 


grant  sb.  promise,  agreement,  76, 
389. 

grantit  pp.    agreed,  consented,  317. 

grassum  sb.  (OE.  gsersum)  treas- 
ure, wealth,  936. 

grauit  pp.  engraved,  emblazoned, 
455. 

gre  sb.     degree,  483. 

greif  pres.     molest,  312. 

greif  sb.     grief,  misfortune,  381. 

greis  sb.     greaves,  leg-armour,  469. 

greit  adj.    great,  319,  325,  334,  338. 

grene  sb.    green,  455,  667. 

grome  sb.  man,  gentleman,  611, 
729,  782. 

gude  adj  and  sb.  good,  72,  88,  97, 
261,  291  ;  good  fortune,  786 ; 
good  men,  170. 

gudlie  adv.     handsomely,  118. 

gyde  sb.  (ME.  gyte)  garb,  ap- 
parel, 717. 

gyf  conj.     if,  397. 

gyrd  (leit)  (OE.  gyrd?)  let 
drive,  struck,  149. 

haikit  pret.     (OE.  hlgian?)   went, 

proceeded,  642. 
haill    adj.     whole,    complete,   409, 

494. 
hailsum   adj.    pleasant,  delightful, 

673. 

hair  adj.     hoar,  gray,  419. 
haiSt  sb.     haste,  830. 
halstelie,   haistely    adv.     hastily, 

quickly,  113,  399,  419,  823. 
hald  inf.  and  imp.     hold,   19,  251, 

315,  371,  380,  409,  780,  798. 
haldin     pp.       held,    bound,    543; 

kept,  preserved,  565. 


haldis  pres.     boldest,  keepest,  493. 
hale  adj.     whole,  entire,  52. 
halely  adv.     entirely,  893. 
name  sb.  and  adv.     home,  71,  91, 

103,  107,  233. 

hamelie  adj.  homely,  plain,  112. 
hapnis  pres.  happens,  occurs,  759. 
harberie,  barbery  sb.  lodging,  41, 

64,  66,  83,  292,  296,  673,  971. 
harbreit  pret.    lodged,  707. 
hard  adj.     strong,  bold,  830. 
hard  pret.  and  pp.     heard,  15,  99, 

280,  437. 

hardy  sb.    bold  one,  642. 
harnes  sb.     harness,   armour,  393, 

409,  575. 

harnest  adj.     armed,  830. 
hart  sb.     heart,  77,  402,  481,  600, 

893. 
hartfully   adv.     heartily,  sincerely, 

888. 
haue  pres.  and  inf.    have,  105,  162  ; 

take,  255,  741. 

he  (on)   adv.     aloud  (on  high)  211. 
hecht  sb.     promise,  409,  451. 
hecht  pret.  and  pp.     promised,  380, 

447,  527,  541,  780,  798. 
heich   adj.     high,  19. 
heill   s6.     health,  565,  600. 
help    (see  note)    83. 
heir  adv.     here,  66,  112,  564,  707. 
heir  pres.  and  inf.     hear,  330,  375, 

762,  847. 

heit  sb.     heat,  831. 
hende  sb.     (OE.  gehende)  amiable 

one,  967. 

heritabilly  adv.     heritably,  761. 
hes  pres.     hast,  has,  have,  81,  108, 

160,  170,  205,  441,  585. 


150 


Glossary. 


het  adj.     hot,  109. 

hew  sb.     hue,  colour,  551. 

hewit  pp.     hewed,  smote,  823,  830. 

hicht  *l>.     height,  494. 

hicht  (on,  vpon)    adv.    on  high, 

37,  684  ;  aloud,  631. 
bidder  adv.     hither,  584,  709. 
hie  adj.     high,  69,  384,  416,  807. 
nine    adv.     (Nth.    heona)     hence, 

49,  854. 

hing   inf.     hang,  741. 
hOltiS  sb.     (OE.  holt)    woodlands, 

woody  country,  419,  493. 
hone  sb.     delay,  tarrying,  575. 
hope  pres.     fear,    apprehend,    720. 
hors  sb.    horse,    58,    393;    horses, 

814,  818. 

houerit  pret.     hovered,  waited,  415. 
huifis  pres.    (MDu.  hoven)  waitest, 

watchest,  493. 
hult  pret.     waited,  415. 
hundreth  adj.     hundred,  757. 
husband     sb.       peasant,    yeoman, 

520,  597. 
husband  weid  sb.    peasant's  dress, 

593. 
hy  sb.     (OE.   higian)   haste,  277, 

320,  575,  642,  762,  862,  921. 
hyne    adv.     (Nth.    heona)    hence, 

238. 
hynt   pret.     (OE.    hentan)   pulled, 

575,  696. 
hyre  sb.     hire,  earnings,  105. 

ilk    adj.     (Nth.    ilca)   same,    468; 

each,  every,  137,  200,  329,  351, 

404. 
ilk  ane  pron.     each  one,  25. 


in  feir    in  company,  together,  144, 

174,  347,  413,  465,  579,  668. 
intill  prep,     in,  409. 
into  prep,     in,  210,  350. 
into  feir   in  company,  together,  218. 
inuy    sb.      (L.    invidia)    hostility, 

spite,  196. 
inwart  adj.     intimate,  confidential, 

236. 
iornay,    iornaying    sb.      combat, 

483,  588,  796. 

ioynit  pp.     joined,  assembled,  695. 
iSChar    si.      (F. .  huissier)     usher, 

644. 
ithand  adj.     (ON.  rSinn)  constant, 

incessant,  27. 
iwis    adv.     (OE.    gewiss)    indeed, 

surely,    in   truth,    35,    143,    161, 

248,  691,  727. 

keip  sb.     heed,  care,  638,  755. 

keip  inf.  keep,  162,  538 ;  main- 
tain, 960. 

keipeir  sb.    keeper,  *772. 

ken  inf.  and  pres.  (OE.  cunnan) 
know,  325,  446,  705,  719,  767; 
tell,  direct,  436. 

kend  pret.     knew,  651. 

kend  pp.     taught,  directed,  952. 

kendill  imp.     kindle,  107. 

kene  adj.     bold,  842,  860. 

kest  pret.  cast,  threw,  365,  839 ; 
cast  about,  reflected,  402  ;  placed, 
809. 

kest  thame  addressed  themselves, 
821. 

knaifis   sb.     servants,  113. 

knap  imp.    pull,  pluck,  111. 


Glossary. 


151 


knaw  pres.     know,  260. 

knawledge  sb.  knowledge,  246, 
325. 

knawln  adj.  and  pp.  acquainted, 
254,  532  ;  known,  379,  501. 

kne  sb.     knee,  337. 

kneilit,  kneilllt  pret.  knelt,  333, 
337,  421. 

knicht   sb.     knight  (passim). 

knyfe  sb.     knife,  dagger,  864,  866. 

kyith  imp.  (Nth.  cyfta)  make 
known,  107. 

kynd  sb.     nature,  126,  163. 

kythand  pres.  part,  showing,  ap- 
pearing, 706. 

laid  sb.     load,  245,  300,  323,  445, 

508,  640. 

laid"  pret.     laid  on,  beat,  drove,  137. 
laid  pp.     laid  down,  offered,  297. 
laiser  sb.     leisure,  566. 
lait  adv.     late,  40. 
laith  adj.     loth,  285,  640,  700,  823, 

833. 

laithly  adv.    terribly,  horribly,  137. 
lak  inf.     (ODan.  lak)   blame,    find 

fault,  87. 

lane  inf.    (ON.  leyna)  conceal,  313. 
lang   adj.     long,  828. 
lang  (thOCht)   grew  weary,  277. 
lap  on  pret.    mounted,  277. 
lasair  sb.     leisure,  632. 
lat  inf.     let,  833. 
lat  imp.     let,  212,  377,   617,  623  ; 

let  me,  291 ;  let  us,  525. 
lat  be  imp.     leave  it  alone,  293. 
lat  the  inf.     let  thee  go,  857. 
lattln  pp.     let,  613. 


laubour  sb.     labour,  509. 

lauch  inf.     laugh,  784. 

lauchfull  adj.  law-abiding,  peace- 
able, 508. 

lawtie  sb.  loyalty,  good  faith, 
509,  602. 

layd  inf.  lay,  wager,  374  (see 
note). 

led  pp.  guided  (?)  treated  (?) 
740. 

leid  pres.     lead,  47. 

leid   inf.     lead,  carry,  508. 

leid  sb.  (OE.  leod)  man,  person, 
395,  591. 

leidand  pres.  part,  bringing,  car- 
rying, 595. 

leidis  pres.     carry,  50. 

leif  inf.     live,  951,  967  (?) 

leif  ivf.     believe,  941. 

leif  pres.  inf.  imp.  leave,  65,  423, 
640:  depart,  613:  desist,  785, 
823. 

leif  sb.     leave,  279,  318,  556. 

leif  Of  inf.     leave  off,  desist,  172. 

leifis  pres.     live,  509. 

leill   adj.     faithful,  true,  602. 

leip  (On)    inf.     mount,  85. 

leird  pp.     (OE.  l»ran)  taught,  169. 

leis  pres.     lose,  641. 

leit  pret.    let,  allowed,  630. 

leit  gyrd  pret.  let  drive,  struck, 
149. 

lelely  adv.  honestly,  truly,  311, 
941. 

lely  sb.     lily,  672. 

lemit  pret.  (OE.  leoma)  flamed, 
brightened,  324. 

len  inf.     grant,  give,  331. 


152 


Glossary. 


lent  prei.  (OE.  lendan)  went, 
travelled,  591 ;  travelling,  395. 

tenth  sb.     length,  distance,  861. 

lesing  tb.  (OE.  leasung)  lie,  false- 
hood, 310. 

lest  inf.     last,  endure,  784. 

let  subj.     delay,  306. 

let  sb.  delay,  144,  318;  hind- 
rance, 540. 

letting  sb     delaying,  424. 

leuand  pres.  part,    living,  785,  919. 

leuch  pret.     laughed,  519,  739. 

licht  adj.     light,  bright,  324. 

licht  adv.  lightly,  alightly,  635, 
740,  936. 

liddernes  sb.  (OE.  lySre)  base- 
ness, cowardice,  785. 

ling  sb.     moor,  heath,  395. 

ling  sb.    line,  straight  course,  426. 

lOfe  inf.     (Nth.  lof)  praise,  87. 

loft   (vpon)   adv.     aloud,  739,  784. 

loiS  inf.     lose,  640. 

lorne  pp.    lost,  433. 

loud  (on)    adv.     aloud,  847. 

ludgeit  pp.     lodged,  740. 

lufe  sb.     love,  45,  857. 

lufesumly  adv.     amicably,  557. 

luke  inf.     look,  see,  724. 

lukit    pret.     looked,  800. 

lyfe  sb.    life,  168, 376,  433,  857,  950. 

lyft  sb.     (Nth.  lyft)   sky,  324. 

lyis  prcs.  lies,  is  situated,  246  : 
dwells,  724. 

lykand  adj.    pleased,  40. 

lyke  adj.     likely,  519. 

lykis  pres.  it  pleases,  pleases,  613, 
947. 

lyklt  pret.    was  pleased,  39. 


lystinit   pret.     listened,  739. 
lytill  adj.    little,  57,  80,  800. 

ma  adj.  more  (in  number)  327, 
328,  427,  748. 

mad  lie  adv.     madly,  wildly,  22. 

magre  sb.  (OF.  malgre)  ill  will, 
hostility,  485. 

maid  pret.  and  pp.  made,  76,  147, 
510,  832. 

mair  adj.  more  (in  quantity)  61, 
149,  162,  415,  511. 

maist  adj.  and  adv.  most,  largest, 
68,  171,  236,  391,  802,  885  ;  prin- 
cipal, chief,  227,  230. 

maisterfull  adj.  masterful,  over- 
bearing, 442. 

malt  adj.  (OF.  mat)  exhausted, 
832. 

mak  pres.  pret.  and  inf.  make,  128, 
172,  200. 

makls  pres.    makest,  95. 

manassing    sb.     threatening,   200. 

mantene  inf.     maintain,  850. 

marschellit  pp.  marshalled,  ar- 
ranged, 184. 

mat  subj.  (OF.  mater)  trouble, 
molest,  511. 

matchit  pp.     matched,  paired,  184. 

meiknes  sb.  meekness,  humility, 
653. 

melt  sb.     meat,  food,  meal,  81,  661, 

melt  inf.     meet,  527,  564. 

meitis  pres.  meet,  250 ;  meetest, 
395. 

mekill,  mekle  adj.  and  adv.  (OE. 
mycel)  much,  great,  6,  47,  61, 
138,  338. 


Glossary. 


153 


mend    inf.      help,     improve,     653, 

954. 
mene   inf.     (OE.  nuenan)  attempt, 

121. 

menstrallls  «b.     minstrels,  355. 
mer  pres.     wander,  stray,  22. 
merwell  sb.    marvel,  514. 
mes  sb.     mass,  573. 
mesure   sb.     moderation,  modesty, 

653. 

meting  s6.     meeting,  335,  485. 
mettalll  sb.    metal,  827. 
micht   pret.      might,    19,   83,  653, 

811. 
micht    sb.      might,   182,  338,  850, 

938. 

michtie  adj.     mighty,  485. 
michtis   sb.     might   (mights)  885. 
midmorne  sb.     mid-morn,  29,  415. 
mirrle   adj.     pleasant,  merry,  135. 
mocht    pret.     might,    could,    268, 

490. 
mon    pres.      (OE.    munian)    must, 

425,  692. 
montane  sb.    mountain,  22,  35,  37, 

793. 
mony   adj.     many,  3,   6,   12,  444, 

446,  945. 

morne  sb.     morning,  431. 
morne    (the)    sb.      to-morrow,    the 

morrow,  272,  286,  299,  304,  312, 

322,  363. 
mot  pres.     (Nth.   mota)   may,  53, 

129,  285. 
mure    s6.      moor,    heath,   14,  564, 

735. 

mylis  sb.     miles,  34,  49. 
myrk  adj.     dark,  22. 


myster  sb.    (OF.  mester)  need,  442, 
748. 

na  adj.   and  adv.     no,   19,  30,  66, 

246,  298  :  nay,  79. 
nalt  sb.     (Nth.  ned)  need,  61. 
namit  pret.    named,  503. 
nane  adj.  pron.  and  adv.    no,  none, 

21,  53,  68,  160,  266,  376,  536,  546, 
nane  sb.  nothing,  172,  191,  261. 
nanis  (for  the)  for  the  nonce,  469, 

688. 

nathingf  sb.     nothing,  506,  561. 
nay  (see  note)  689. 
neid  pres.     need,  need  do,  546. 
neidlingis   adv.     of  necessity,  405. 
neir    adj.   and  adv.     near,   66,  91, 

177,  346,  412,  799. 
nek  sb.     neck,  123. 
neuer    adv.     never,    97,    309,    392, 

784,  879. 

new  inf.     renew,  perform,  545. 
newlingls  adv.  newly,  recently,  962. 
nicht  sb.     night,  38,  83,  135,  328, 

342,  961. 

nichtlt  pret.     became  night,  40. 
nlxt  adj.     next,  758,  901. 
nobill  adj.     noble,  54,  703. 
nocht  adv.     not,  56,  270,  284,  306, 

767. 

nocht  sb.     nought,  491. 
none  sb.     noon,  282,  342,  400,  546, 

577. 

nor  conj.     than,  504,  546. 
nouther    cmj.      neither,    81,    412, 

431,  450. 
noy    sb.      hindrance,    molestation, 

536. 


11 


154 


Glossary. 


nurtour  sb.    nurture,   good  breed- 
ing, 160. 
nyse  adj.    foolish,  428. 

obeysand  adj.    obedient,  124. 
OCht  pron.     aught,  any,   253,  302, 

371,  554. 

OCht  adv.     at  all,  645. 
Of   adv.  and  prep,     off,  172 ;  from, 

out  of,  13  ;  of  (passim). 
officiaris  sb.    officers,  254. 
onwart  sb.     addition,  profit,  244. 
ony  adj.     any,   60,    72,    149,    312, 

395,  511. 
or  adv.    ere,  before,  92,  291,  629, 

720. 
ordanit    pp.   and  pret.      prepared, 

323 ;  appointed,  329. 
OUlr    adv.   and  prep,     over,  8,  14, 

79,  383,  807  ;  through,  328. 
OUtray  sb.     outrage,  156,  877. 
OUtrayd  pret.     outraged,  372. 
OUtwlth  prep,     without,  outside  of, 

410. 

paintit  pp.    painted,  664. 
palfray  sb.     palfrey,  horse,  276. 
palice,  palys  sb.     palace,  354,  615. 
pane  sb.     (L.  pannus)   apparel,  5, 

234,  624. 

pardle  int.    par  Dieu,  166,  530. 
pardoun  sb.    pardon,  922. 
pariSChe  inf.     perish,  20. 
pas  inf.  and  imp.     go,  71,  341,  568, 

623. 

pauyot  s6.     (see  note)  276. 
payit  pp.     pleased,  contented,  70, 

580. 


pdr  tb.     equal,  468,  664. 

picht  pp.    set,  studded,  467. 

pithlS   pi.     (OE.  pi«a?)  strength, 
863. 

plaitis  sb.     back  and  breast  plates, 
467. 

plane    adj.  and  adv.     clear,  plain, 
416  ;  plainly,  clearly,  315. 

plane  sb.    plain,  614. 

plesance    sb.      pleasure,    pleasant- 
ness, 358,  907. 

plesand  adj.     pleasing,  handsome, 
624. 

pllcht  pres.     plight,  pledge,  940. 

preichand  pres.  part,      preaching, 
345. 

preif  inf.     prove,  try,  attempt,  304, 
314,  615. 

preiflt   pp.      reckoned,   accounted, 
497. 

preikit  pret.    pricked,  spurred,  408. 

preis    sb.      press,    crowd,    throng, 
624. 

preiS  pres.     press,  863. 

preissis  pres.     presses,  615. 

prelstts  sb.     priests,  344. 

presoun   sb.     (see  note)   886. 

prest  adv.     fast,  408. 

prest  adj.     handsome,  468. 

preuie  adj.     private,  263. 

preullie  adv.     secretly,  276,  711. 

price  sb.     praise,    honour,    reputa- 
tion, 833. 

principall    sb.     chief  men,  nobles, 
358. 

profferit  pret.     offered,  147. 

pnife  inf.     prove,  863. 
pryme  sb.    (see  note)  23. 


Glossary. 


155 


prys  inf.  value,  put  a  price  on, 
252. 

pryse  imp.     praise,  86. 

pulanis  sb.  (LL.  polena)  knee- 
pieces,  468. 

pund  sb.     pounds,  757. 

quemely  adv.  (Nth.  cwoeme)  be- 
comingly, handsomely,  682. 

quha  pron.     who,  913. 

quhair  adv.  where,  3,  264,  330, 
417,  610,  735. 

quhat  pron.     what,  which,  30,  692. 

quhat  kin  what  kind  of,  233,  592. 

quhat  SUmeuer  pron.  whatsoever, 
398. 

quhen  adv.     when,  55,  85,  233,  404. 

quhldder  conj.     whether,  381. 

quhill  adv.  while,  290,  544  ;  until, 
91,  141,  415,  512. 

quhlp   sb.     whip,  385. 

quhome  pron.     whom,  505. 

quhy  adv.     why,  95,  597. 

quoke  pret.  (OE.  cwacian)  quaked, 
trembled,  732. 

raid  pret.  rode,  14,  30,  75,  480, 
586. 

raifand  pres.  part,  raving,  voci- 
ferous, 650. 

ralk  inf.  and  pres.  (ON.  rseika) 
move,  pass,  212,  549. 

rals  pret.     rose,  215. 

rais  inf.    hack,  hew,  550. 

raith  adv.  (Nth.  hraSe)  hastily, 
quickly,  549,  608,  819. 

rauingis  si.  ravings,  mad  words, 
895. 


record  sb.     recital,  report,  729. 

reddy  adj.     ready,  58,  321,  763. 

reddyit  pret.    made  ready,  779,  808. 

regaird  sb.    notice,  652. 

reid  sb.     red,  670. 

rek  pres.     reck,  regard,  895,  934. 

rekkls  pres.     regard,  896. 

remcid   sb.      remedy,    redemption, 

510. 
remufe    inf.      remove,    give    way, 

861. 
renk  sb.     (OF.  renc)   way,  course, 

549  ;  lists,  809,  834. 
renkis  sb.     (OE.  rinc)  men,  war- 
riors, 819. 

rent  pp.     torn,  wounded,  835. 
repreif  pres.     reprove,  rebuke,  843. 
resoun,  ressoun  sb.    reason,  right, 

84,  119,  214,  252,  259,  378,  884. 
ressonabill  adj.  reasonable,  758. 
reuall  sb.  (OF.  reule?)  (see  note) 

670. 
reuest  pp.     clad  in  their  vestments, 

344. 
reulit  pp.     arranged,  466,  671,  686  ; 

bordered,  striped,  670. 
rew  inf.     rue,  repent,  549. 
rew  sb.     (F.  rue)   street,  351.' 
rewalrd   sb.     attention,  650. 
rewalrd  sb.     reward,  donation,  960. 
riches  sb.     splendour,  351  ;  riches, 

934. 

richt  sb.    right,  758,  844,  967. 
ticht    adj.    and    adv.       right,    45, 

771  ;  straight,  586,  792,  869. 
richt  (at)     properly,  686. 
rid  sb.     counsel,  advice,  259. 
rid  pres.     advise,  284,  435,  888. 


156 


Glossary. 


rob  sb.     robe,  576. 

roiS  sb.     rose,  671. 

ronsy  sb.     (L.  rocinus)  horse,  479. 

roustic  adj.     rusty,  518. 

rowme  sb.     space,  distance,  809. 

rubeis  sb.    rubies,  465. 

rude  sb.     rood,  cross,  45,  259,  550, 

843. 

rude  braid  sb.    rood-breadtb,  861. 
rufe  sb.     roof,  ceiling,  670. 
rufe  adj.    fierce,  strong,  109. 
runsy  sb.     horse,  791,  870. 
ruschit  pret.   hastened,  rushed,  791, 

819,  862  ;  sprang,  870. 
ruse  inf.     (ON.  hrosa)  praise,  boast 

of,  80. 

rusit  pret.     admired,  wondered,  481. 
ryall  adj.  and  sb.     royal,  109,  480, 

481,  550  ;  royal  one,  14. 
ryallie    adv.     royally,    splendidly, 

351,  671. 
ryaltie  sb.     royalty,    magnificence, 

688. 
rydand    pres.    part,      riding,    326, 

571,  808. 
ryde  pres.  and  inf.     ride,  291,  479, 

779. 

rydis'pres.     rides,  792. 
ryfe   adj.     abundant,  170. 

sa  adv.     so,  8,  137,  298,  417. 
Sa  pret.     saw,  801. 
sadill  sb.     saddle,  475. 
sadly  adv.     resolutely,  656. 
saif  prep,     save,  except,  590. 
saik  sb.     sake,  110,  243. 
sail!  sb.     sale,  243. 
saill  sb.     (F.  salle)  hall,  713. 


salr  adj.     sore,  hard,  637. 

salrd  pret.     hurt,  656. 

salbe  ful.     shall  be,  56,  308,  433 : 

shalt  be,  552. 
sail  pres.     shall,  shalt,  85,  122, 159, 

301,  305. 

salUSt  pret.     saluted,  422. 
sanct  sb.    saint,  63,  257,  970. 
sapheir  sb.     sapphire,  464. 
sara^ine  si.     Saracen,    847,    852, 

856,  871,  878,  912,  935. 
saue  inf.     save,  500. 
say  and   pres.  part,     saying,  77. 
sayis  pi'es.     says,  46 ;  sayest,  852 
SChame  sb.     shame,   87,  488,  898. 
SChame  inf.     be  ashamed,  301. 
SChapin  pp.     shaped,  formed,  459. 
SCheild  sb.     shield,  459. 
SChene   adj.     bright,  glorious,  459, 

943. 
SChent   pp.      confounded,    brought 

to  shame,  732. 
SChlll  adj.     cold,  chill,  59. 
schir  sb.    sir  (passim). 
SCb.0  pron.     she,  99,  103,  251,  932. 
SChone  sb.     shoes,  765. 
SChord  pret.     (ON.  skara)   threat- 
ened, bullied,  733. 
SChort  adj.     short,  864. 
SChOW  sb.     shove,  push,  698. 
SChTOUd    pp.      (OE.    scrud)    clad, 

adorned,  459. 
SChynand  pres.  part,     shining,  470, 

559. 
SC  pres.  and  inf.     see,  289,  375,  811, 

871. 
seigls  sb.     (OE.  secg)   men,  lords, 

713. 


Glossary. 


157 


SCik  inf.  and  imp.     seek,  626,  631, 

637. 

seimit  pret.     seemed,  810. 
Self     adj.      (Icel.    ser)      separate, 

divers,  25,  568,  666,  714,  923. 
seir  (in)  adv.  variously?  678. 
SCiS  pres.  seest,  202,  397,  560. 
selCOUthly  adv.  (OE.  seld  cu«) 

wonderfully,  admirably,  678. 
semblay,  semblie  sb.  assembly, 

357,  663. 

semblit  pret.     approached,  590. 
semelie,    semely     adj.   and    adv. 

handsome,  459,  677,  713 ;  hand- 
somely, 666. 
semis  pres.     seems,  745  ;   seemest, 

54,  754. 

semit  pret.     seemed,  806. 
sen   adv.  and  conj.    since,  51,   127, 

214,  298,  361,  566. 
send  pp.  and  pret.    sent,  251,  948, 

967. 

sene  pp.    seen,  357,  461. 
sen^eorabill     adj.      lordly,    seig- 

norial,  714. 

seme  inf.     serve,  67,  268,  406. 
setTliS  pres.     serves,  908. 
seruit  pp.     served,   80,   181,    713; 

deserved,  742. 

sesit  pp.     invested,  enfeoffed,  923. 
Set  pres.  and  pp.     account,  regard, 

635,  936  ;  regarded,  740. 
set  pp.     beset,  447. 
set  pp.     arrayed,  ornamented,  475, 

666,  678. 

seuin  adj.    seven,  49,  662,  725. 
sextie  adj.     sixty,  774. 
Sib  men  sb.     kinsmen,  898. 


Sic  adj,  and  pron.  such,  33,  67,  70, 
202,  206,  329,  440. 

Sicht  sb.  sight,  344,  590,  662; 
judgment,  742. 

simpill  adj.  simple,  of  low  de- 
gree, 164,  373,  768. 

Sindrie  adj.  and  adv.  sundry,  var- 
ious, 221 ;  asunder,  29. 

Sine  adv.  then,  afterwards,  920, 
958. 

Sit  inf.     resist,  disobey,  99. 

skaith  sb.  (OE.  sceafta)  harm, 
injury,  821. 

Skill  sb.  (ON.  skil)  sense,  rea- 
son, 57. 

SlaiS  pres.     slays,  747. 

smylit  pret.     smiled,  711. 

SOCht  pret.  and  pp.  sought,  looked 
for,  662,  898 ;  took  his  way, 
went,  388,  656. 

SOlempnit  adj.  solemn,  stately, 
404,  663. 

SOne  adv.  soon,  142,  273,  281, 
332,  571. 

SOne  sb.     son,  356,  943. 

SOUdanis  sb.     sultans,  898. 

SOUerance  sb.  (OF.  asseurance) 
truce,  quarter,  880. 

SOUr  adj.     bad,  evil,  910. 

spair  imp.     spare,  202. 

spaird  pret.     spared,  654. 

spak  pret.    spoke,  270,  279,  378. 

spedely   adv.    speedily,  hastily,  654. 

speid   imp.     speed,  hasten,  426. 

speir  pres.,  imp.  and  inf.  (OE. 
spyrian)  ask,  53,  256,  582. 

spciris  pres.     askest,  51. 

SpeiriS  sb.     spears,  815. 


158 


Glossary. 


sperpellit   (OF.  esparpeiller)   scat- 
tered, 26. 

splenders  .-•/>.    splinters,  815. 
sprcnt      prei.        dashed     forward, 

sprang,  812,  816. 

springis  sb.     spring  (season)    901. 
spuil^e  inf.     despoil,   ravage,  901. 
spurris  sb.    spurs,  812. 
squechonis     sb.      (OF.    escusson) 

escutcheons,  coats-of-arms,  684. 
squyar  sb.     squire,  772,  774. 
squyary  sb.     attendance  or  retinue 

of  squires,  273. 
Stabill  si.     stable,  116. 
Stad  pp.    bested,  beset,  136,  603. 
Stalt  sb.     estate,  dignity,  708. 
stakkerit  pret.    (ON.  stakra)  stag- 
gered, 151,  860. 
Staluartlie  adv.    stoutly,  stalwartly, 

32. 

Starts  sb.     stones,  gems,  463,  467. 
Start  pret.     started,  155,  281. 
Start  sb.     brief  space,  moment,  892. 
Steid  sb.     steed,  horse,  32, 477,  812. 
Steid  sb.     place,  674,  860,  964. 
SteiU  sb.     steel,  471,  773. 
Steill  inf.     steal,  604. 
Steir  (On)    adv.     astir,    in   motion, 

411. 

Steird  stirred,  shaken,  173. 
Stiflie,  Sttfly   adv.     strongly,  firmly, 

16,  865. 
stonischit  pp.    astonished,  stunned, 

173. 
Stound  sb.     (OE.  stund)   moment, 

620. 
Stour    sb     (OF.    estour)     combat, 

603,  865. 


Stout   (see  note)  477. 

Strald  pret.     strode,  32. 

straik  sb.     stroke,  173,  818. 

Straik  pret.     struck,  812. 

Strait  adv.     straight,  continuously, 

731. 

Stray  sb.     (see  note)  477. 
strikin  pp.    stricken,  818. 
Striue  inf.    strive,  contend,  554. 
Stryke  inf.     strike,  520. 
Stryking    sb.      striking,    fighting, 

745. 

Stubill  adj.     sturdy,  520. 
Stude  pret.     stood,  454. 
Sture    adj.    and    adv.     (OE.    stor) 

strong,  strongly,  16,  818. 
Sturdy    adv.     strongly,    violently, 

860. 

Stynt  inf.     cease,  give  up,  700. 
succourit  pret.     succoured,  744. 
succuderus     adj.      (OF.    surqui- 

derie)   haughty,  arrogant,  909. 
SUCCUdrously  adv.     haughtily,  856. 
SUddand  adj.     sudden,  540. 
SUddandly   adv.     suddenly,  736. 
SUith  sb.     (Nth.  so«)  truth,  52,  89, 

248,  733. 
SUld     pret.      should,     489,     972  ; 

shouldst,  163,  370,  559. 
sum  adj.     some,  56,  59,  61,  887. 
SUmmoundiS     sb.       orders,      com- 
mands, 99. 

suppois  pres.     suppose,  257. 
Suppois  conj.     although,    even    if, 

767. 
SUttelly   adv.     craftily,  artistically, 

678. 
SWa   adv.     so,  56. 


Glossary. 


159 


SWayne  sb.     fellow,   servant,   607. 

SWCit  adj.    sweet,  948. 

SWCt  pp.     sweated,  637. 

SWOir  pret.     swore,  949. 

swyith,  swyth  adv.    (Nth.  sw?5e) 

at  once,  quickly,  116,  486,  623. 
syne    adv.     then,    afterwards,    87, 

183,  189,  354,  407. 
syre  sb.     lord,  nobleman,  714. 

ta  imp.  and  inf.    take,  114,  566. 
taillis  sb.     tales,  stories,  140,  221, 

561. 

tak  imp.    take,  144,  157,  393. 
tak  me  betake  me,  commit  myself, 

938. 

takin  sb.     token,  symbol,  457. 
takis  pres.     takest,  shalt  take,  877. 
tald  pret.     told,  220,  403,  708. 
tane  pp.     received,    156 ;  secured, 

240. 

tane  (the)  pron.     one,  the  one,  886. 
tauld  pret.     told,  528,  728,  906. 
teind     sb.     (ON.      tiund)      tithe, 

tenth  part,  474. 

telr  adj.    (OE.    tor)   tedious,  474. 
telland  pres.  part,     telling,  561. 
tene  sb.     (OE.  teona)   anger,  123, 

457. 

teneftlll  sb.    angry  one,  458. 
tent    sb.     (OF.     entente?)     heed, 

notice,  314. 

teuch  adj.    tough,  521. 
tewellis     sb.       equipments,    arms, 

474. 

tha  pron.   (OE.  J>a)  those,  749,  802. 
thair  adv.     there,  2,  19,  280,  308, 

492,  515,  545,  555. 


thairin  adv.     therein,  28,  651. 
thair  till  adv.     thereto,  to  it,  110, 

542. 
thairtO    adv.      thereto,    563,    566, 

846. 

thairun  adv.  thereon,  on  that,  374. 
than  adv.  then,  117,  131,  138, 

280,  341. 
thankand    pres.    part.       thanking, 

334. 
tharth  (me)  pres.     (Nth.  •SorfeS) 

it  behoves  me,  536. 
thay  pron.      (OE.  J>a)    those,  they, 

21,  24,  187,  350. 

the  pron.  thee,  51,  248,  306,  906. 
thing  sb.  person,  man,  391,  481. 
thir,  this  pron.  (ON.  J>eir)  these, 

231,  561,  563,  648,  690,  766,  819. 
thocht  sb.     thought,  memory,  255, 

319,  364,  389  ;  intention,  912. 
thocht  conj.     though,  164,  236,  522. 
thocht  lang    grew  weary  or  impa- 
tient, 277. 

thopas  sb.     topaz,  473. 
thourtOUr    way     sb.       cross-roads, 

567. 

thOW  pron.     thou,  51  (and  passim). 
thra  sb.    haste,  801. 
thraly  adv.     (ON.  )>raliga)  hastily, 

violently,  657,  701. 
thrawin   adj.     angry,  129. 
thre  adj.     three,  218,  339,  757. 
threip  in/,  andpres.    (OE.  J>reopian) 

quarrel,    79,    130,    912;    charge, 

197. 

threit  pret.     forced,  bullied,  542. 
threttie  adj.     thirty,  844,  694. 
threttis  sb.     threats,  657. 


160 


Glossary. 


thrife,  thriue    inf.     (ON. 

thrive,  53,  129,  285,  301. 
thrill^  inf.  and  pres.     push,    701  ; 

strike,  197. 
thristlt  pret.     thrust,  pushed,  657, 

694,  701. 
throw    adv.    and    prep,      through, 

657,  694,  697,  701,  811. 
thus  gait  adv.    in  this  manner,  169. 
thyne  pron.     thine,  56. 
ticht  pp.     fastened,  457 ;  set,  473. 
till   prep.     (ON.  til)    to,  316,  390. 
tit  inf.     pull,  lay  hold  of,  432. 
to-blaisterit    pret.      blew    about, 

buffeted,  28. 
togidder,  toglddir  adv.     together, 

251,  820,  823. 

tO-morne  adv.     to-morrow,  85, 564. 
tother  adj.    other,  183. 
toun  sb.    town,  349,  410,  521,  928. 
tO-WOrne  adj.     worn  out,  560. 
tOWSlll  inf.     tussle,  maltreat,  432. 
tralSt    imp.      (ON.  treysta)    trust, 

55,  308.  . 
traiSt  adj.     assured,  547. 
traistit  pret.     trusted,  391. 
trauaill,  trauale,  trauell  sb.    toil, 

labour,  48,  244,  951. 
trauelland    pres.  part,    travelling, 

873. 

trauellouris  sb.    travellers,  82. 
tre  sb.     tree,  457. 
trew  adj.    true,  547. 
trew  lufe  sb.     (see  note)   473. 
trimland     pres.    part.      trembling, 

shaking,  458. 
trow  pres.  and  inf.     trust,  believe, 

56,  108,  877,  885. 


trowis  pres.  believest,  561. 
trystit  pp.  appointed,  794. 
tugglll  inf.  tackle,  strive  with, 

521. 

tulk,  hike  pret.     took,  25,  118,  846. 
turnit  'pret.     turned,  returned,  4. 
twa  adj.     two,  43,  113,  123,  570. 
twyse  adv.     twice,  148. 
tyde  s6.     time,  tide,  4,  48,  287. 
tyne   inf.     (ON.    tyna)    lose,  824; 

perish,  58. 

tyt  pret.     seized,  took,  123. 
tyte     adv.      (ON.    titt)      quickly, 

873,  908. 
ty thing  sb.     (ON.  tiSindi)  tidings, 

582,  961. 

vacant  sb.  vacancy,  vacant  office, 
758. 

vennysoun  sb.    venison,  208. 

veseir  sb.    visor,  839. 

vincussing  sb.  vanquishing,  de- 
feat, 825. 

vmbekest  pret.  surveyed,  recon- 
noitred, 410. 

vnburely  adj.  unhandsome,  522, 
696,  807. 

vncourtes  adj.  discourteous,  ill- 
bred,  122. 

vndeid  adj.     alive  (undead)   855. 

vnder  prep,     under,  150. 

vnderta  pres.  undertake,  promise, 
241. 

vndertane  pp.  undertaken,  prom- 
ised, 364,  572. 

vndertuk,  vndertuke  pret.  under- 
took, promised,  489,  529. 

vndo  imp.     undo,  open,  94. 


Glossary. 


161 


vneis  adv.     hardly,  scarcely,  155. 

vngane  pp.     not  (yet)  gone,  661. 

vnkend  arlj.     unknown,  247. 

vukuawin  adj.  unacquainted,  ig- 
norant, 127. 

vnrufe  sb.     trouble,  disquiet,  47. 

vnsemand  adj.  unseemly,  unbe- 
coming, 146. 

vnset  adj.     not  seated,  146. 

vnskllftlll  adj.     ignorant,  159. 

vntO  prep,     unto,  5. 

vp  adv.     up,  155,  281,  839. 

Vpon  prep,  upon,  on,  186,  272,  288, 
564. 

VS  pron.     us,  512,  562. 

Vther  adj.  other,  3,  72,  82,  340, 
391,  826. 

wa  adj.     loth*  247. 

wachlS  sb.    watchmen,  guards,  274. 

wait  pres.    ( Nth.  wat)  know,  knows, 

46,  66,  262,  43^1,  502. 
waitis  pres.     lie  in  wait  for,  watch 

for,  913. 

wald  sb.     wold,  open  country,  405. 
wald  pret.     would,  wouldst,  70,  92, 

226,  303,  499;  would  go,  690. 
walkand     pres.    part,      travelling, 

wandering,  73,  106. 
walkln  inf.     awaken,  275. 
walklnnit  pret.     awoke,  280. 
wan  pret.     won,  460,  824  ;  shouldst 

win,  765. 

wanderand  pres.  part,    wandering, 
•     328. 

wandit  pret.     wound,  bound,  366. 
wane  sb.     (OE.  wunian)  dwelling, 

7,  190,  264,  366,  578,  630. 

12 


wantis  pres.     is  wanting,  is  absent, 

288. 

wantit  pret.     lacked,  191,  266. 
wantOUn     adj.       (OE.    wantogen) 

rude,  rough,  100. 
wapnis,  wapplnnis    sb.    weapons, 

515,  835. 

war  pret.     were,  379,  484,  915. 
wardrop  sb.     wardrobe,    239,  313, 

379. 
wardroparis    sb.     grooms  of  the 

chamber,  274. 
warld   sb.     world,  892. 
warrand  inf.      warrant,   122,  534, 

587. 
warysoun  sb.    protection,  916  (see 

note). 

wassalage  sb.     knightly  deed,  887. 
wayis  sb.     ways,  roads,  394,  587. 
wayndit  pret.     (OE.  wandian)  hes- 
itated, 228. 
WCdder  sb.     storm,  21,  27,  36,  74, 

97,  106,  285  ;  weather,  59,  290. 
weid    sb.     (Nth.    woede)    garment, 

560,  577,  593. 
weild  imp.    and   inf.     possess,  925> 

965. 
weildit     pret.      possessed,    owned, 

578. 

WCill  adv.     well,  46,  93,  249,  555. 
weir  sb.    war,  460,  766,  824. 
weir  sb.     doubt,  228,  288,  499. 
weird  sb.     destiny,  fortune,  chance, 

377. 

weit  adj.     wet,  106. 
wend  pret.    (Nth.  wende)  thought, 

supposed,  649. 
wend,  went  pres.  and  inf.     go,  de- 


162 


Glossary. 


part,  249,  366,  691 ;  shouldst  go, 

394. 

wene  pres.    ween,  think,  187. 
weryouris  sb.     warriors,  766,  789. 
weschin  pp.     washed,  143,  726. 
Wicht    adj.      (ON.    vlgr)     strong, 

violent,  36,  356,  754,  965. 
Wlckit  adj.     bad,  21,  36,  106,  283 ; 

wicked,  892. 

widdeis  sb.    withes,  ropes,  366. 
Will    adj.    and    adv.       (ON.  villr) 

astray,  lost,  35,  73,  106. 
willar  adj.     more  astray,  in  worse 

plight,  138. 
Win   inf.    (OE.  winnan)  get,  attain, 

go,  110,  625. 

win  sb.     (OE.  wynn)    joy,  happi- 
ness. 925. 
winnis  pres.    (Nth.  wuneft)  dwells, 

527. 

Wirk  inf.     manage,  act,  377,  929. 
Wise  sb.     way,  manner,  929. 
wist  pret.    knew,  knew  how,  21,  30. 
Wit  inf.     know,  226,  249,  643. 
With  all    adv.     withal,  831,    835; 

also,  734. 
Withoutin  prep,     without,  44,  144, 

318,  392,  424. 
with  thy    co»j.    provided  that,  on 

condition  that,  70. 
Wittin  pp.     known,  604,  649. 
wonder  adv.    (OE.  wundrum)  very, 

extremely,  24,  100,  247. 
WOrSChip  sb.    honour,  dignity,  460, 

824,  965. 

WOrthie,  worthy  adj.  and  sb.     wor- 
thy one,  461,  765,  925;   worthy 

ones,  726  ;  able,  625,  750. 


WOrthis  pres.  (Nth.  worses)  shall 
become,  692  ;  can  be,  704. 

WOrthit  pret.     became,  831. 

WOSChe  pret.     washed,  215. 

WOX  pret.  (Nth.  wox)  grew,  be- 
came, 36,  100. 

wraith  sb.  and  adj.  wrath,  486; 
angry,  wroth,  100. 

wrocht  pp.     wrought,  made,  264. 

wy  sb.  (OE.  wiga)  man,  578,  630, 
649. 

wyfe  sb.  wife,  98,  133,  144,  157, 
174,  267,  291,  356,  966. 

wyis  sb.     men,  691. 

wylit  pp.     enticed,  709. 

wyn  sb.     profit,  gain,  918. 

wyne  sb.     wine,  186,  208,  266. 

wynning  sb.    dwelling,  227,  643. 

wyse  adj.    wise,  crafty,  722,  727. 

wyse  sb.     way,  manner,  433. 

wyselie  adv.    carefully,  587. 

wythest  (wichtest)  adj.  strongest, 
766. 

3aip  adj.    active,  brisk,  628. 

3air  adv.     carefully,  641. 

^ald  pret.    yielded,  returned,  224. 

}arue  imp.     desire,  ask,  837. 

^C  pron.    ye,    you,    89,    116,    158, 

179. 
3e,  }ea  adv.    yea,   yes,   298,   376, 

545,  620. 
^eid  pret.     (Nth.  code,  eade)  went, 

131,  267,  595. 
3 eliding  sb.    yielding,  submission, 

837. 

3eir  sb.     year,  years,  200,  286,  662. 
3elriS  sb.     years,  231. 


Glossary. 


163 


3eman   sb.     yeoman,  628. 

3 eme  imp.     (Nth.  gema)  take  care 

of,  guard,  641. 
3et  g6.     gate,  609,  612,  628. 
3ettiS  sb.    gates,  633. 
3it  adv.    yet,  as  yet,  80,  138,  428, 

659,  692. 


3one  adj.    yon,  yonder,  that,  367, 

372. 

3<me  adv.    yonder,  704,  706. 
3our  pron.     your,  104,  882. 
30W  pron.    you,  78,  114,  882. 
3ule   sb.    Yule,  Christmas,  4,  251, 

286,  342,  359,  404. 


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